Introducing Plants to Your Koi Pond
When introducing plants to your Koi fish pond, first check that you have removed chloramines and that other pond measures are within a safe range.  You can use a test kit available at many pond dealers, pet shops and garden suppliers to measure the amount of contaminates in your Koi fish pond water.  Chlorine, Ammonia, Nitrates, and Nitrites are some of the factors to check with your test kit before adding any plants to your pond.
If you live in a northern climate, you will want to consider the last frost date for your area before introducing new plants.  When adding new plants to your Koi pond in the Spring, the sooner you add them, the sooner they can begin their balancing act to help prevent the buildup of algae.  Plants also provide oxygen
and food for your Koi.
Shortly after introducing plants to your Koi pond, you will probably notice the water turn green.   This is a natural occurrence and will probably clear up in a few weeks after your new plants become established.  You will probably want to begin by adding oxygenating plants to your Koi fish pond.  You can also add floating aquatic plants such as water hyacinths or water lettuce to cover the surface of your pond and therefore discourage algae growth.  You will need these to help keep the water crystal clear and pure  You can also add some shallow water and bog plants to your pond as well as water lilies and perhaps even a hardy Lotus as seen at left.  All of these plants will work toward balancing your Koi fish pond.