Aquatic plants (hydrophytes) live completely or partially under water. They are found in almost all waters, and are preferably used in garden ponds or aquariums. One of her cherished virtues is that she pondsKeep aquariums free of algae by extracting nutrients from algae and using them for themselves.

Which groups of aquatic plants are there?

Aquatic plants can be divided into four categories.
1. The free-floating aquatic plants (pleustophytes)
2. Aquatic plants (true hydrophytes) adhering to or in the soil
3. Water plants growing on the shore (Helophyten)
4. Aquatic plants (true helophytes) living in the swamp

The first category includes aquatic plants that swim freely under water and at best extend their flowers beyond the water surface. To this kind count particularly the water hoses, Also included in this category are plants that float freely on the water surface and whose leaves are in free exchange with the air. To this genus include the swimming ferns, many types of duckweed, but also the water hyacinth.

On the one hand, the second category includes aquatic plants that have adapted completely to the underwater environment. To this kind belong seagrass plants, Saldengewächse, Nixenkrautgewächse, many spawning herbs and the Grundelsel. Furthermore, some mosses, such as the Quellmoos, the Javamoos and the endivienartige Beckenmoos and the millenary leaf.
On the other hand, this genus includes aquatic plants, which have adapted to a part of, to another part under water. Mostly they are swimming and floating leaf plants, such as water lily plants, lotus plants, swimming pondweed, the sea pot and the arrowhead.

On the one hand, the third category includes aquatic plants, which remain fully adaptable even under water, but usually protrude above the water and spread widely into the waters. These are scattered reed plants, such as the pond horsetail or the ordinary pond lizard.
On the other hand belong to this genus those plants, whose end parts can survive exclusively over water. These include most reeds.

The fourth category includes plants that can thrive on both dry and submerged soil. This genus can stand dry for months, but also to survive prolonged flooding.

In summary, it is thus possible to differentiate between dive plants that thrive entirely under water and floating plants that live on the water surface.

How do aquatic plants work and survive?

The thin skin walls of the aquatic plants, which offer an enlarged surface due to partially severely slashed walls, facilitate the absorption of dissolved nutrients as well as the gas exchange. The generous development of a ventilation fabric with large intercellular spaces, in which the air is stored, allows the aquatic plants their natural buoyancy. The weakly developed supporting tissue of the petioles ensures a high degree of flexibility, even in flowing water. The roots of most aquatic plants are, in contrast to the land plants, only sparsely pronounced, since the water absorption via the roots is eliminated. Their nutrients also do not draw water plants via the roots, but are absorbed by the leaves from the surrounding water. From the plants fall in late autumn, the winter winter buds – so-called Turionen – from, which ensure a rapid repopulation in the spring.

Unfortunately, increasing environmental pollution and water body development puts many aquatic plants at risk or is threatened with complete extinction. This would have a very negative impact on the quality of the water, as aquatic plants, through their gas and nutrient exchange, significantly contribute to the purification of waters. In addition, aquatic plants, such as the water lily, also act as a habitat and habitat for other living things that lay their eggs on the underside of the plant.

What are water plants for?

Aquatic plants are especially popular as ornamental plants in garden ponds and aquariums. The rich selection of different plants such as floating plants, shore plants or marsh plants provide plenty of space for creative design options of the home garden pond or the aquarium.

Especially in the fish tankAquatic plants are very important because they contribute to the quality of life of the fish by their gas exchange. Here, in addition to good sandy soil, should be paid to appropriate lighting and fertilization, so that the plants can thrive. In addition, the plants are used by the fish for spawning and hiding place. Particularly popular in the aquarium are aquatic plants such as the swimming fern or the pond liver moss.