Eichhornia crassipes
water hyacinth
This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act as an invasive, non-native species and is banned from sale. See cultivation notes for further details A floating, aquatic perennial consisting of rosettes of rounded leaves, to 15cm long, with inflated, shiny, pale green stems. Long, purplish-green roots hang down into the water and may root into the mud at the bottom. Upright spikes of showy, pale blue to pale purple, funnel-shaped flowers, each 3cm across, are produced in summer
Size
Growing conditions
Colour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
Aspect
Exposure
Botanical details
- Family
- Pontederiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Genus
Eichhornia are rhizomatous, marginal to deep-water perennials. Submerged leaves are linear to strap-shaped, floating and aerial leaves rounded or heart-shaped. Showy, funnel-shaped flowers are carried in upright spikes in summer
- Name status
Unresolved
- Plant range
- Tropical America
How to grow
Cultivation
This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act as an invasive non-native species. Across the EU, UK and NI it is an offence to plant or cause to grow in the wild plants listed on Schedule 9 of this order. These plants should not be planted or caused to grow in the wild and in addition are banned from sale. Gardeners possessing them should undertake measures to control them. See RHS advice on invasive non-native species for further information
Propagation
See cultivation notes
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Get involved
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