How to Anchor Aquatic Plants

Aquarium Plants

• 1

  Wrap a lead anchor strip around the base of an aquatic plant. Secure the line in place with fishing line if necessary. Repeat for each plant you wish to anchor in the aquarium.

• 2

  Place the anchored plant in a shallow dish. Although the dish can be plastic, glass or ceramic and can be as small or large as needed to contain the aquatic plants, it should be not more than about two inches deep. Add additional anchored plants and arrange the dish as desired.

• 3

  Fill the remaining space in the dish with fine aquarium gravel. Ensure that all plant roots are completely submerged in the gravel to prevent root damage.

• 4

  Place the dish containing the aquatic plants and gravel as desired in the aquarium. Submerge the dish in the aquarium gravel to hide the dish or set it on top of the aquarium gravel, using the dish itself, in addition to the plants, as an unique aquarium decoration.

Pond Plants

• 5

  Fill a no-hole pot, available at most well-stocked nurseries, 1/3 full with soil. Aquatic clay soil anchors pond plants well, but can restrict root growth; a combination of clay and soil balances the benefits of each. Sand can be used for very shallow plants.

• 6

  Place the plant or plants in the pot on top of the soil. Separate the roots so that they are evenly spaced and have plenty of room to grow. Spread a thin layer of soil over the roots, filling the pot to about 2/3 full.

• 7

  Fill the remaining space in the pot with gravel. Fine gravel has the best nutrient retention and coarse gravel is more effective at anchoring large plants; use a mixture of different size gravel or layer the gravel for best results.

• 8

  Place the pot in the pond. The water level of the pond should be at least an inch or two above the top of the pot.