With its delicate violet or blue blossoms, the South American Water Hyacinth (botanical name *Eichhornia*) is a total showstopper for any backyard pond. But if you want to enjoy those gorgeous blooms all summer long, you’ve got to make sure this plant is living its best life.
When can I put my Water Hyacinth in the pond?
First things first: the Water Hyacinth is definitely not winter-hardy. It absolutely hates frost! You’ll want to wait until the very last threat of a late spring frost has passed before moving it outside. The cool thing is, you don’t actually “plant” it. As a floating plant, it just drifts freely on the surface. If you’re worried about it wandering off, you can always anchor it in one spot by weighing down the roots.
How do I care for my Water Hyacinth?
To be honest, Water Hyacinths don’t need a ton of “work,” but they are picky about their environment. To really thrive, they need plenty of warmth and bright light. They also love high humidity and nutrient-rich water, which is why they’re actually a popular choice for aquariums, too.
If the water or air gets too chilly, or if they don’t get enough hours of light, the plant will stop growing and might even start to rot. But when conditions are just right? They’ll multiply like crazy and reward you with flowers. A humid, warm summer is your best bet for a spectacular blooming season.
Where can I keep my Water Hyacinth over the winter?
I’ll be real with you: overwintering these plants is only worth it if you have the perfect setup. Water Hyacinths need pretty consistent conditions year-round. We’re talking warm, humid, and about twelve hours of bright light every single day. A heated, well-lit sunroom or conservatory is usually your best bet for keeping them happy until spring.
Quick Highlights:
- It’s a floating plant—don’t bury it, just set it on the water!
- Needs high humidity, lots of light, and plenty of warmth.
- Not frost-tolerant and can be tricky to overwinter.
- Wait for consistently warm weather before putting it in your pond.
- Will self-propagate easily under the right conditions.
- Bloom time: June through September (if it’s happy!).
Pro Tip: If you want your Water Hyacinth to stay in one specific corner of your pond, try weighing down those long, feathery roots with a small stone.
