Common Water Hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes)

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Plant Details

Category: Water Plant
Light: Full Sun
Bloom Season: Summer
Height: 6-9” / 
15-23cm
Space: 12-18” / 
30-46cm
Zones: 9, 10, 11
Lowest Temp: 20° to 30°F / 
-6° to -1°C
Colors: Purple

Basic Care

Prefers water no more than 1’ (30 cm ) deep. Do not allow plants to dry out.

Water

Always ensure that roots are covered with several inches of water.

Soil

Grows in water.

Feed

Not necessary to feed.

Common Water Hyacinth detailed care guide →
attracts pollinators

Attracts Pollinators

Ornamental Flower

Sun Loving

Features

Common water hyacinth is a free-floating aquatic plant found in nature on rivers and streams in tropical Brazil. Plants have feathery root systems that provide shelter for small water creatures. Spoon-like, rounded leaves with bulbous inflated stems that provide the plant’s ability to float. The spikes of showy purple flowers are followed by capsules filled with seeds.

Water hyacinth is an annual in regions with freezing winters. It has naturalized, and is often invasive, in Southern regions of the United States where it is a perennial. This plant should never be introduced into wild spaces with mild winters, where it may become permanently established.

Commonly regarded as one of the world’s fastest growing plants and among the most invasive plant species on earth.  Water hyacinth reproduces quickly in favorable climates by horizontal stolons. It can form dense mats over the water surface that can block all light below, lead to oxygen depletion, fish kills, choking off water flow, and interfere with human activities such as boating and fishing. Plants may also reproduce by seed.

Water hyacinth was formerly known by the botanical name Eichhornia crassipes.

Uses

Grows well in the shallows of lakes and ponds. Best grown using a pond liner or in a container water garden where the plant’s spread can be controlled.

Common Water Hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) Care Guide

Water plants thrive in wet conditions. There are types that grow in the water and others that thrive in the shallow, marshy areas found around ponds, lakes and streams. Water plants grow well in large containers on the patio or deck. Place a few in a prefabricated pond to add an instant exotic touch to the landscape.

Planting in a heavy soil is best. Organic matter may float and won’t anchor the plants under the water. There is no need to amend the existing soil.

Keep plants moist and do not remove from pots until just before planting. Do not allow roots to dry out.

There are two options for planting water plants. Plants can be potted in individual containers and submerged under the water, or they can be planted directly into the soil under the water. If leaving the plants in pots, cover the soil with a 1” (3cm) layer of small gravel to help weigh the container down, as well as prevent loose soil from clouding the water.

If planting directly in the ground, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and deep enough that the plant will be at the same level in the ground as the soil level in the container. Take care not to bury the growing tip.

The growing point for most aquatic plants should be 12-18” (30-45cm) under the water. This ensures that the sensitive growing tip will be under any ice formed during the winter. If plants are in submerged containers, bricks or inverted pots can be used as a base to adjust the height of the containers under the water.

Marginal (bog plants), that grow near the water’s edge, should be positioned so that the growing tip is 3-12” (8-30cm) under the water. The depth will depend on the overall size and habit of the specific plant.

Floating plants are simply placed on the water, no planting is required.

The roots of aquatic, marsh, and bog plants must keep kept moist at all times. During hot, dry weather container gardens and small pools should be checked regularly for low water levels resulting from evaporation. Replace water as needed to keep the roots covered.

Dead foliage and faded flowers can be removed to keep plants looking tidy.

Plants that become too large can be dug up, divided, and replanted. Plants growing in pots within containers and pools should be lifted from the water. Then, remove the plant from the pot, divide the roots, repot the plants, and place the pots back into the water.

Take care when applying fertilizers to water plants. Over fertilization can promote algae growth. Slow-release tablets or mild granular fertilizers are a good solution. Tablets can be easily pushed into the soil. Check package directions for proper timing and application tips.

Common Water Hyacinth Companion/Combination Plants

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