Pond Management Blog

Why Is My Pond Green?

Most likely, pond algae is the answer to the question of why your pond is covered in green gunk. This unpleasant, green hue can manifest itself on the top, bottom, or middle layers of your pond. Either way, it's obnoxious, unsightly, and you want to be rid of it.

Pond algae comes in all different shapes and sizes, and at times is even difficult to identify as algae at all. Many pondowners believe that something different is wrong with their pond, when in reality they are fighting the same battle as the majority of pond owners across the world. In this article, you will learn to identify the different types of algae so you know where to start when trying to solve your green pond problems.

Does your pond have a decidedly greener tint than you would like? Keep reading!

Filamentous Algae (Alias: "Green Algae,"
"Pond Scum," "Pond Owners' Bane")

This type of pond algae forms mats that usually start at a pond's edge, but can sometimes extend across the entire surface if gone untreated. It is bright green, has a slimy, stringy texture, and is oftentimes referred to as "pond scum." This is the most common type of algae growth in ponds, and can become extremely ugly and frustrating during the spring and summer months.

Duckweed (Alias: "Putting Green")

Duckweed, if examined closely, has the appearance of thousands (or perhaps millions) of tiny leaves. It has a tendency to spawn on top of calm water surfaces in great quantity - to the point that the pond begins to resemble a putting green instead of a pond. It is extremely adept at killing pond ecosystems, because it cuts off all sunlight to the water column, thus disallowing photosynthesis or any oxygen transfer from occurring.

Learn more about pond algae - and getting rid of it.

Chara (Alias: "Muskgrass," "Skunkweed")

This pond algae is given its descriptive pseudonyms because of the musty, odorous, garlic-esque scent that it produces. It also takes on an appearance similar to that of underwater plants, often leading to the misconception that it is not algae, but instead is a rooted aquatic plant. It can also run rampant across ponds if allowed to continuously grow untouched once it begins to sprout. It has a somewhat "crunchy" texture due to the calcium deposits on its surface.

Planktonic Algae (Alias: "Suspended Algae," "Pea Soup")

This brand of pond algae is a floating, microscopic variety that will turn the entire water body a "pea soup" green color. It makes it practically impossible to see anything in the water column, and also contributes to decimation of the pond habitat because of blocking out sun rays. Similar to filamentous, green algae, it begins to form along the edges and bottom of the pond before spreading throughout the entirety of the water.

These four types of pond algae are the most common in ponds, and the most obnoxious to pond owners. You may get other species like cyanobacteria ("blue-green algae") or American Pondweed as well, but if you're looking for a culprit that is bestowing that obnoxious green pond upon you, it's likely one of the four described above.