Not all pond problems float on the surface. Many of the most aggressive weeds grow along the shoreline or just above the waterline—spreading quickly and taking over both the appearance and usability of your pond.
At Hoosier Aquatic Care, we identify and manage these common Indiana shoreline weeds with targeted, professional treatments—so your pond stays clean, accessible, and under control.
Primrose is a fast-spreading shoreline plant with bright yellow flowers that can quickly form thick mats along the water’s edge. While it may look attractive at first, it can choke out other vegetation and creep into the pond surface.
Cattails are one of the most recognizable pond plants but also one of the most aggressive. They spread through underground rhizomes and can quickly take over large sections of shoreline if not controlled.
Water lilies are often planted intentionally, but without management they can spread rapidly. Too much coverage blocks sunlight and reduces oxygen levels in the water.
Duckweed is a very small floating plant that can spread rapidly across the surface of a pond. It often appears in calm, nutrient-rich water and can quickly cover the entire surface if left untreated.
Watermeal is one of the smallest and most difficult-to-control aquatic plants. It looks like a fine green dust on the surface and is often mistaken for algae or duckweed.
“Shoreline weeds” is a broad category that includes grasses and invasive plants growing along the pond’s edge. These can make maintenance difficult and give the pond an unkempt appearance.
Not all pond problems look the same—and treating them correctly starts with knowing what you’re seeing. From floating algae to submerged invasive weeds, each issue requires a different approach.
At Hoosier Aquatic Care, we help Indiana pond and lake owners quickly identify problems and apply the right solution before they get out of control.
Often called “pond scum,” this algae forms thick, green mats that float on the surface. It usually starts along the edges and spreads quickly across the pond.
This type of algae is suspended in the water, giving the pond a green, cloudy appearance often described as “pea soup.”
Chara looks like a plant but is actually a type of algae. It grows on the bottom of ponds and has a rough, gritty feel with a distinct musky odor.
One of the most common invasive submerged weeds in Indiana, Eurasian milfoil spreads rapidly and can form dense underwater canopies that reach the surface.
This invasive plant grows early in the season often before other vegetation and can dominate a pond in spring before dying off in early summer.
Left untreated, these plants don’t just affect appearance they can:
We don’t just treat the symptoms—we solve the problem. Our team: