Can Garden Waterfalls Harm the Plants

If you spruced up your garden with a waterfall, you may be wondering if it could possibly harm your plants.  As long as you plan, introducing a waterfall into your garden will not harm your plants.  Avoid putting plants directly underneath the waterfall, and use water loving plants around it.

Make Sure No Plants Are Damaged by the Waterfall

Water flows down a waterfall through gravity.  In most garden waterfalls, water is emitted from a single point (through a spout) near the top of the waterfall display.  The water tumbles down into a pool or pond below, where it is taken by downward gravitational forces past rocks and flowers until it reaches the pool or pond basin where the water collects.  A concealed tube located underneath the pool or pond pumps water back to the top of the waterfall. This is a cyclic process, so you don’t want to position any plants where they are in the direct path of this downward flow of water.

Pick Plants That Do Well in and around Water

The best kinds of plants for outdoor waterfalls are those that can handle lots of water.  For example, aquatic plants that free float on or below the surface of the water make ideal plants for waterfall gardens.  Some examples include Fairy Moss (a small floating fern), Frog-bit (looks like a Water Lily) and Jumbo Water Hyacinths (its purple or blue flowers are reminiscent of an orchid).  Other water-loving varieties include tropical marginal plants.  Plants like Parrot's Feather and Water Cannas can either be placed in containers or can free float over the rocks in your waterfall.