wetland septic plants

17 years ago

We purchased a home with a wetlands septic system. We are supposed to grow aquatic plants which is the mechanism for absorption. We had the septic pumped, and now all of the plants are dead. Can anyone tell me where to buy these plants and which ones are best for my area (Kentucky)? Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

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Comments (5)

rhodyman
17 years ago
Aquatic plants that remove nutrients from the water are called filter plants. Iris and water hyacinths are super filter plants. They will multiply so you need to break up the clumps and throw many away each year. But they are great filters.

Other great filter plants are:

Acorus calamus
Acorus calamus 'Variegatus'
Bacopa lenagera 'Variegata'
Cyperus alternifolius
Cyperus papyrus
Eleocharis parvula
Eleocharis vivipara
Glyceria aquatica 'Variegata'
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides 'Ruffles'
Hydrocotyle umbellata
Iris pseudacorus and cultivars
Iris versicolor and cultivars
Iris virginica and cultivars
Juncus balticus 'Spiralis'
Juncus effusus and cultivars
Juncus inflexus
Juncus inflexus 'Afro'
Juncus polyanthetnus
Juncus spp., African thatching rush
Ludwigia arcuta
Ludwigia arcuta 'Grandiflora'
Ludwiia jeruviana
Mentha aquatica
Oenanthejavanica 'Flamingo'
Oenanthe var,nentosa
Pistia stratiotes
Pistia stratiotes 'Aqua Velvet'
Sagittaria latifolia
Sagittaria sinensis
Scirpus
Tillaea recurva
Typha
pacmom23
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you for the insight. Where would I purchase these plants?
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greenbean951
17 years ago
You can get most of them from lawn and garden stores, or even lowes or wal mart. However, I know for a fact that many of us HAVE those plants to trade, so check out the aquatic plant exchange forum.
catfishsam
17 years ago
pacmom, what type of bog plants were growing there before?

I wonder why the plants died just because the septic was pumped?
rhodyman
17 years ago
Here are the common names:

Acorus calamus = sweetflag
Bacopa lenagera = waterhyssop
Cyperus alternifolius = unbrella plant
Cyperus papyrus = papyrus
Eleocharis parvula = dwarf spikerush
Eleocharis vivipara = viviparous spikerush
Glyceria aquatica = mannagrass
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides = floating marshpennywort
Hydrocotyle umbellata = manyflower marshpennywort
Iris pseudacorus = paleyellow iris
Iris versicolor = harlequin blueflag
Iris virginica = Virginia iris
Juncus balticus = Baltic rush
Juncus effusus = common rush
Juncus inflexus= European meadow rush
Juncus polyanthetnus= manyflower rush
Ludwigia arcuta = primrose-willow
Mentha aquatica = water mint
Oenanthe javanica = Java waterdropwort
Pistia stratiotes = water lettuce
Sagittaria latifolia = broadleaf arrowhead
Scirpus = bulrush
Tillaea recurva = water pygmyweed
Typha = cattail

You will need to find a nursery that sells water plants or a Koi shop that sells water plants.