Appearance of the pond 

  There is no contest between a pond (water garden) with growing plants, vs a sterile looking, high tech approach. It simply looks better.

Koi-Resistant Plants

  While no plant is 100% Koi Proof, the following assortment should last a long time even with the more destructive Koi.

1.Iris--are very tough and stringy, leaves are used in weaving baskets. All Varieties.

2.Melon Sword--out of water leaves are extremely tough.

3.Umbrella Palm--Long woody stalks, with leathery leaves.

4.Canna--Long stalks with leaves and flowers on the top third of this plant.

Koi eating Plants 

  I have found that Koi raised with plants are much less prone to destroy plants. We fully understand the breeder's dilemma of trying to grow Koi in a production pond with plants present--an almost impossible task.

  We suggest that all retailers introduce their purchases to planted ponds, giving their customers Koi a head start on learning to live with plants. We also find that Koi will not attack plants as often if they are fed fresh greens or vegetables on a weekly basis.

  One of the mistakes a pond keeper makes, is throwing the food into the pond, some of which ends up on the lily pads and/or between the shoots of the bog plants. Koi have a great sense of smell and will use any means to get at the food, destroying some of the plants in the process.

  Massive amounts of food daily, will make Koi eating machines. They end up looking for food everywhere, including digging into the pots and eating everything in sight. If you must feed up to 12% body weight a day to grow your Koi to maximum dimensions--Plants, especially lilies, aren't for you.

  Our Koi will nibble around the edges of some lily pads except for our night bloomers with serrated leaves, but never, have they completely destroyed even one pad.

Conclusion

Plants can indeed kept with Koi. The  marginal plants pictured above will survive most onslaughts. Lily pads can also survive most attacks from all but the largest Koi, when properly planted.