Water Hyacinth

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a fast-growing floating plant known for its beautiful violet flowers and broad, bulbous leaves. While stunning, it is also invasive in many areas and should only be kept in controlled environments like outdoor ponds or very large tanks (where legal).

🌿 Overview

• Common Name: Water Hyacinth
• Scientific Name: Eichhornia crassipes
• Type: Floating Plant
• Origin: South America
• Growth Rate: Very Fast
• Light Requirement: High (requires full-spectrum or direct sunlight)
• CO₂ Requirement: Not needed

🌊 Water Parameters

• Temperature: 70–90°F (21–32°C)
• pH: 6.5–8.0
• Hardness: Soft to Hard
• Placement: Floating (surface plant)
• Substrate: None needed

🌱 Care Notes

• Growth: Rapidly propagates by sending out stolons and daughter plants
• Nutrient Demand: High; absorbs ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate directly from the water
• Control: Requires regular thinning to prevent overcrowding and oxygen depletion
• Flowers: May bloom with violet/purple flowers in strong sunlight

⚠️ Legal & Environmental Warning

• Highly invasive in many U.S. states and countries
• Check local laws—illegal to possess or transport in certain regions (e.g., Texas, Florida, California)
• Never release into natural waterways

🐠 Uses in Aquarium or Pond

• Excellent at nutrient export and algae prevention
• Provides natural shade and cover for fish
• Decorative in outdoor ponds and water gardens
• Safe habitat for fry and surface-dwelling creatures