# Water Hyacinth Pond Plant - Care & Grow Guide Canonical URL: https://pondacademy.com/how-to-plant-water-hyacinth-in-a-pond Author: Tory Jon Published: 2022-11-30T07:00:00-05:17 Updated: 2022-11-30T07:00:00-05:17 ![how to plant water hyacinth in a pond](https://pondacademy.com/images/page-how-to-plant-water-hyacinth-in-a-pond-min.png) Water hyacinth (*Pontederia crassipes*, formerly *Eichhornia crassipes*) is a floating pond plant known for lavender summer blooms and rapid nutrient uptake. They also help naturally add oxygen to your pond water and provide cover for your fish from predators. Also referred to as the Common Water Hyacinth, this plant features thick green leaves that can reach up to 8" long and large lavender or pink flower blooms. In the right conditions, this floating plant can grow to 36" above the water's surface! This perennial aquatic plant is native to South America and grows naturally in tropical and subtropical regions. Its optimal growing temperature range is 77–86 °F (25–30 °C). **Invasive Potential: High.** Water hyacinth is now commonly treated as *Pontederia crassipes*, formerly *Eichhornia crassipes*. The [USDA National Invasive Species Information Center](https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatic/plants/water-hyacinth) notes that it forms dense colonies that block sunlight and crowd out native species. This species is prohibited, restricted, or regulated in some states and regions. Plant laws can change, so confirm current requirements with your state agriculture or natural resources agency before purchasing, transporting, propagating, or planting it. Never release unwanted pond plants, roots, seeds, rhizomes, or trimmings into lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, drainage ditches, storm drains, or natural ponds. Water Hyacinths Floating Water Garden Plants [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Water-Hyacinths-Floating-Garden-Plants/dp/B015OUEM72?&linkCode=li2&tag=pondacademy-20&linkId=9bcc3eb7461ab27449768cbe5205b1f3&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il) Water Hyacinth (*Pontederia crassipes*) Quick Look Scientific Name *Pontederia crassipes* (formerly *Eichhornia crassipes*) Invasive Potential High Common Names Common water-hyacinth, floating water hyacinth Plant Type Floating Pond Plant Light Requirements Full to partial sun Hardiness Zones USDA Zone 9-11 Bloom July through September Grow Up To 36 inches Flower Color Lavender, pink ## How to Plant Water Hyacinth in a Pond To plant water hyacinths in a pond, scatter them across the surface of the water in areas that get full sun. You can help contain their growth and prevent overpopulation by scattering the plants in a floating ring. ## Water Hyacinth Care Guide Water Hyacinths are some of the fastest-growing pond plants, so it's important to control their growth before they become detrimental to your pond. Luckily, thinning your plant population is easy - remove a batch of floating plants and discard them away from your pond. If the roots are extremely thick, use scissors to cut off a batch. If the leaves start to turn yellow or the flowers cease blooming, they may lack nutrients. You can remedy this by pulling the plants from the water and placing them in a tub with a water/fertilizer mix per the fertilizer products instructions. Let the plants soak up the nutrients for a few days. Once they turn green and/or start to flower, pull them from the tub, rinse them off, and place them back in your pond. Water Hyacinth struggles with freezing temperatures or cold water. In Zones 8 and lower, discard your Water Hyacinth at the end of the first frost. Water Hyacinths Floating Water Garden Plants [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Water-Hyacinths-Floating-Garden-Plants/dp/B015OUEM72?&linkCode=li2&tag=pondacademy-20&linkId=9bcc3eb7461ab27449768cbe5205b1f3&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il) ## Responsible Disposal Never release water hyacinth plants, roots, seeds, rhizomes, or trimmings into lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, drainage ditches, storm drains, or natural ponds. Do not dump pond or aquarium water containing plant fragments into natural waterways. Water hyacinth spreads quickly through daughter plants and may produce seed. Do not compost viable plants where they could survive; dry thoroughly, bag, and trash plants and roots unless local authorities direct otherwise. ## Water Hyacinth Care Card Download our free printable care card for the Water Hyacinth plant! Click the care card below and save the PDF file to your computer. You can easily print off the 3x5 care card or access it right from your phone. Get all the important information you need to keep your Water Hyacinth plants healthy and happy! Plus, we provide a blank card for you to print and fill out yourself. Print it as many times as you like to create cards for all your plants! [Water Hyacinth Care Card](https://pondacademy.com/pdf/water-hyacinth-care-card-pdf.pdf)