Oklahoma Ponds, Plant Spotlight: Water Hyacinth

​Water Hyacinth Blooms

Water hyacinths put out soft purple blooms that can be from 4 inches to 12 inches tall! I have observed that the hyacinth in my pond d not bloom but the ones in my waterfalls do.  My theory is that because they are very sensitive to water temperature, that the pond water is a little too cool.  The stream water is more shallow and therefore has warmer water. If you have blooming hyacinth in your pond, take a picture and shoot it over to us!  Also if you want your hyacinth to bloom try putting some in the stream or waterfall and see what happens. ​

​Reproduction

Reproduction - Having one is like having 100! 
Water hyacinth reproduce extremely quickly by putting out multiple shoots with new plants on them (plantlets).  They will stay attached for a while but when picked up or moved these easily break apart.  These new plants will follow suit and before you know it there are more hyacinth that you can imagine.
Luckily, they are annuals here in Oklahoma (Zone 7) which means they will not over winter.  When there are too many, just throw them out! (also great for the compost) Originally from South America, they are very sensitive to cold water. In southern states where the weather is much warmer they are even outlawed as even 1 plant let go in a natural waterway can over grow to the point of needing to be removed! 

​Filtration

​Here in our lovely zone 7 these plants provide excellent filtration.  Their roots hang down into the water, often growing down 12 inches long.  They consume the nutrients found in the water, removing it so that algae has less food. 

Soften Edges

Great plant for hiding edges or softening rocks.
Hyacinth can be placed on the edge of a pond and kept there by placing some rocks on top of the roots to anchor them in place. They can also be allowed to get stuck in the edges of waterfalls.  If they don't get stuck enough then may need some assistance.  Putting some rocks on the roots to help them stay in place will allow them to cascade down the waterfalls as they form new plantlets. ​

Healthy For Fish

Koi will eat the roots of water hyacinth!  I keep mine in the waterfall until I have a plethora of them.  Then I put some into the pond.  They provide first rate nutrition for the koi. ​

Tips To Keep Them Out Of Your Skimmer

If you have given up on water hyacinth because they were floating into the skimmer, or you don't want the fish eating them try one of the following:

• tie them with fishing line to a rock so they can't be swept into the skimmer
• Buy a hula-hoop and tie down with fishing string
• purchase a floating plant net that protects them from the fish eating the roots, allowing them to continue to provide filtration and keeps them form getting in  the skimmer.  You can easily use fishing line to tie them to a rock and it will hardly be visible.  
• put them in the waterfall
• put them in the biofalls

More About Plants

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