Water Hyacinth – Valley Nature Center Native Plant Guide

Aquatic Plant Floating Pond Habitat Beautiful Flowers

About This Plant

Water Hyacinth floats freely on VNC's pond, creating a lush carpet of glossy green rosettes topped with stunning lavender-blue flowers. Each plant is buoyed by spongy, air-filled leaf stalks that act as natural flotation devices.

While beautiful, Water Hyacinth grows rapidly and is managed at VNC to maintain the health of the pond ecosystem. In warmer months it provides important shade and cover for fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Did You Know?

Water Hyacinth is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth — a single plant can produce 140 million offspring in a single year and double its population in two weeks. It can completely cover a pond in just months.

Growing Details

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Aquatic — floating

Soil

None — floats on water

Range

Native to South America

Family

Pontederiaceae

Management

Requires regular control

Wildlife Value

Dense mats provide shade and hiding spots for fish and aquatic invertebrates
Roots create underwater habitat for aquatic insects and small fish
Flowers attract native bees and small butterflies
Snail Kites and other wading birds hunt around floating mats

Photos

Flowers

Floating Mats

Roots

Pond View