- Which location does the water hyacinth prefer?
- What should the water quality be like?
- When is the water hyacinth planted?
- How is the water hyacinth "planted", i.e. placed?
- What distance do water hyacinths need when planting?
- When does the aquatic plant bloom?
- How is water hyacinth propagated?
- tips and tricks
Water hyacinths (Eichhornia) have little in common with the spring flower hyacinth (Hyacinthus). Only the blue flowers, which the aquatic plants produce under good conditions, resemble those of the hyacinth.
Water hyacinths float on the water surface
Which location does the water hyacinth prefer?
Water hyacinths need lots of space and special conditions to thrive. They can be kept in ponds and larger water tanks.
- Pond with direct sun exposure
- Aquarium with additional lighting
- At least 18 degrees water temperature
- As high humidity as possible
What should the water quality be like?
The water hyacinth only grows in very nutrient-rich water. A pH of 6 to 8 is ideal.
Many pond owners complain that their pond is too rich in nutrients. In such cases, water hyacinths are an ideal pond stock because they need so many nutrients.
When is the water hyacinth planted?
The non-hardy water hyacinth is only allowed outside from May, when no more frost is to be expected.
The plants can be placed in the aquarium at any time.
How is the water hyacinth "planted", i.e. placed?
The small rosettes float on the water. The leaves are filled with air, causing the plant to float up. The roots can grow up to 40 centimeters long. The water hyacinths anchor themselves with them.
Water hyacinths are simply placed on the water. In turbulent water, it can make sense to tie the plant with a thread so that it does not swim to another spot before the roots sprout.
What distance do water hyacinths need when planting?
Do not plant water hyacinths too closely. A maximum of three plants should be planted per two square meters of water surface.
When does the aquatic plant bloom?
The flowering period lasts from July to October. However, the water hyacinth rarely blooms in the pond because the water is not warm enough and the humidity is too low.
How is water hyacinth propagated?
Water hyacinths reproduce vegetatively via runners. The daughter rosettes grow as large as the mother plant within a few days. They can be easily separated to gain new plants.
tips and tricks
Water hyacinths are native to South America. There they spread so rapidly that they not only impede shipping, but can also silt up entire ponds. When caring for the water hyacinth, regular thinning is therefore very important.