Water Hyacinth Pontederia Crassipes

Water Hyacinth

Eichhornia crassipes syn. Pontederia crassipes

Glossy green foliage and lovely lavender flower spikes on this fun floating plant. Dense growth naturally inhibits algae, helps keep water clean. Native to Brazil, usually grown as an annual in WNC. Reproduces quickly. Do not use in natural waterways.

Zones 9-11. 6-9”T x W.

💚Plant nerd: Numerous studies have found that Water Hyacinths can actually clean many things out of water: heavy metals, urban waste, ibuprofen, and caffeine. Additionally, they can also clean plastics out of the water! Plastics - especially microplastics - damage not only human and animal life, but they hurt plants, tiny creatures that live in the soil, and creatures that live in the water. However, scientists are discovering that Water Hyacinths can clean plastic out of water ways, including microplastics. In fact, Water Hyacinths can actually take up some of the very smallest microplastics in their roots and safely keep them there until they can be harvested! Pretty amazing stuff.