Care of the aquatic plant Eichhornia crassipes or Common water hyacinth |
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The genus Eichhornia, family Pontederiaceae, includes 7 species of aquatic plants native to tropical America and southeastern North America. Some species are: Eichhornia crassipes, Eichhornia azurea, Eichhornia diversifolia, Eichhornia martiana, Eichhornia natans, Eichhornia paniculata. Common name: Common water hyacinth. This species is native to Brazil. They are perennial aquatic plants that have stems filled with air, thanks to which they float in the water. The leaves are elongated, bright green, and kidney- or heart-shaped. The orchid-like flowers are light blue with a large yellow dot on the top. They bloom in summer but the flowers last a few days. It's an ideal plant for small ponds; its expansion must be controlled because it can become an invasive plant. The Eichhornia crassipes needs exposure to full sun and warm water. It does not resist the cold; keep several specimens indoors and put them back in the pond in spring. If the pond is rich in mineral salts, they grow directly on the water; it's better to plant them in the muddy bed 20 cm (7.87") under water. They do not need fertilizers because they get all the nutrients from the pond water. They are plants very resistant to pests and diseases. They propagate by division in spring. |
Images of the aquatic plant Eichhornia crassipes or Common water hyacinth |
 Eichhornia crassipes  Eichhornia crassipes |