How to create a pond your patio with water lilies, lotus flowers, and even fish!
You don't need to dig a space in your yard to have a thriving pond. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create your own water garden whether you're an experienced pond owner, or looking to become one.
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If you love the idea of a pond but didn't think you had the space, you are in luck! There's a pond for any space, and you can even have a pond right on your patio. This is a great option for renters or people who aren't ready to commit to digging a part of their garden to enjoy the relaxing sound of water. Whether your pond is large, small, or portable, there are a lot of creative ways you can add a garden around or even inside of it with beautiful water lilies, lotus flowers, and fish.
The secret to a successful patio pond is moving water. Proper filtration, circulation, and aeration keep the water healthy while helping discourage mosquitoes. Moving water also adds oxygen that fish and aquatic plants need to thrive.
We visited the pond experts at Koi Market and Long Island Bonsai Supply in Dix Hills, NY for tips on how to create a beautiful pond. They have many setups to choose from and sell plants and a variety of unique fish to take your pond to the next level.
How to Build a Simple Patio Pond
Choose a watertight container such as a stock tank, whiskey barrel liner, decorative patio pond, or large ceramic pot. You can also buy a patio pond from a local pond store.
Place the container where it will receive at least six hours of morning or evening sunlight. Avoid midday sunlight with patio ponds, because these can quickly become too hot for living things during the summer.
Add a small pump, fountain, or aerator to keep the water moving.
Fill the container with water and allow it to settle.
Add aquatic plant baskets filled with heavy aquatic soil.
Place water lilies in deeper areas and lotus in shallower areas.
Add fish if desired after the system has stabilized.
Top off evaporated water as needed throughout the season with water that has been treated with dechlorinating solution.
How to grow water lilies
Water lilies are among the easiest aquatic plants to grow. Hardy water lilies return year after year and will get larger with each season. Tropical water lilies will not survive the winter, but produce larger leaves and more frequent blooms
Simply place the planted container about two feet below the water surface and allow the leaves and flowers to rise naturally and float on top. Most water lilies perform best with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
How to grow Lotus flowers
For gardeners who want an even more dramatic display, lotus plants are hard to beat. Unlike water lilies, lotus leaves and flowers rise above the water, creating a bold architectural look. Most lotus grow best with roughly 8 to 18 inches of water over the soil and require full sun to flower heavily.
One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make with lotus is trying to keep them too tidy. When leaves die back, avoid cutting stems below the water surface. Lotus stems are hollow, and cutting them too low can allow water to enter the plant's crown and damage the root system.
These plants love sun and wet soil
Patio ponds can also support many other aquatic favorites. Elephant ears, iris, and hardy pitcher plants all enjoy sunny, wet conditions and add texture and variety to the display. These plants can create a lush water garden appearance even in a small container. Pitcher plants are especially unique because they feed off flies. Several species are native to our area and will return every spring.
One challenge unique to patio ponds is overheating. Because container ponds hold far less water than traditional in ground ponds, they can heat up rapidly during summer. Water temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit can stress fish and aquatic plants while reducing dissolved oxygen levels. Warm water also encourages algae growth and poor water quality. Full sun, dark containers, and surrounding concrete surfaces can make a patio pond significantly hotter than a larger pond. Providing afternoon shade, increasing aeration, and maintaining good water circulation help keep temperatures under control. Water lilies can also help by shading the water surface naturally.
Overwintering a patio pond is different from overwintering a traditional pond. Large in ground ponds are often deep enough that hardy water lilies and lotus can remain outdoors all winter below the ice line. Patio ponds and container water gardens are much more vulnerable because the entire container can freeze solid. In colder climates, hardy plants should be moved to a protected location such as an unheated garage or basement if freezing is expected. Tropical water lilies must be brought indoors and protected from frost because they cannot survive freezing temperatures.
With a little sunlight, moving water, and the right plants, a patio pond can provide months of color and enjoyment. Whether you have room for a large pond or just a decorative container on your deck, water lilies and lotus make it easy to bring a piece of the water garden hobby home.
For plants, pond supplies, koi, and water gardening advice, visit Koi Market and Long Island Bonsai Supply in Dix Hills, New York located right off the Long Island Expressway
