{"product_id":"water-hyacinth-pontederia-crassipes-floating-plant","title":"Water Hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E8F5E9;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater Hyacinth (\u003cem\u003ePontederia crassipes\u003c\/em\u003e, formerly \u003cem\u003eEichhornia crassipes\u003c\/em\u003e) is a fast-growing floating plant prized for its glossy rosette of leaves, trailing feathery roots, and occasional spikes of lavender flowers under bright light. It is one of the easiest aquatic plants to keep and doubles as a natural filter, pulling nitrate and ammonia straight from the water while shading the surface below. Browse our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003efreshwater aquarium plants\u003c\/a\u003e collection for more low-maintenance greenery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater Hyacinth is a true floater, so there is no substrate or planting involved. Set it on the surface and it spreads on its own. It performs best in ponds and open-top aquariums where the crown sits above the waterline under bright overhead light with room to grow. In a tightly covered tank with dim light and trapped condensation the crown can rot, so give it plenty of light and headroom. In good conditions it multiplies quickly by sending out daughter plants on runners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate to high. At least 6 hours of strong light or direct sun. Open-top tanks and patio ponds are ideal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heavy water-column feeder. It draws nutrients directly from the water, which helps starve out nuisance algae. A liquid all-in-one fertilizer keeps the leaves green in nutrient-poor tanks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCO2:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thin the colony as the mat thickens so light still reaches the plants and livestock below.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrailing roots\u003c\/strong\u003e form a dense refuge for fry and shrimp and make excellent spawning cover for bettas and other surface breeders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:520px;margin:6px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWater Hyacinth, Common Water Hyacinth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePontederia crassipes\u003c\/em\u003e (syn. \u003cem\u003eEichhornia crassipes\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFloating\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eModerate to High\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 85°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCO2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNot required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWater surface (floating)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePropagation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eDaughter plants on runners\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eIn the Aquarium \u0026amp; Pond\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFloating plants like Water Hyacinth are a favorite for nutrient export, gentle surface shade, and natural cover. The diffused light below is calming for shy, surface-oriented fish such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003ebettas and gouramis\u003c\/a\u003e, while the curtain of roots gives fry and shrimp a place to hide. It also competes directly with algae for nutrients, which can help keep a tank cleaner between water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquarium-co-op-easy-potassium\"\u003eAquarium Co-Op Easy Potassium\u003c\/a\u003e or another \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/additives-supplements\"\u003eliquid plant fertilizer\u003c\/a\u003e to keep leaves green in low-nutrient tanks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther easy floaters: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/frogbit-portion-cup-limnobium-spongia\"\u003eAmazon Frogbit\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-root-floater-phyllanthus-fluitans-freshwater\"\u003eRed Root Floater\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/duckweed-lemna-minor-portion-cup-freshwater-plant\"\u003eDuckweed\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair with shade-loving rooted plants from our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003efreshwater plant\u003c\/a\u003e selection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eResponsible Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater Hyacinth grows aggressively. Never release it into local ponds, lakes, canals, or storm drains. Keep it contained to your aquarium or backyard pond, and bag or compost any trimmings with household waste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep Water Hyacinth in a covered aquarium?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is happiest in an open-top tank or pond where the crown sits above the water under strong light. Under a tight hood with low light and condensation the crown tends to rot, so add a bright light and leave headroom if you keep a lid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it take over my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt can. In good light it spreads fast, so plan to thin it regularly and remove plants that block too much light below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe for fish and shrimp?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It is non-toxic and the dangling roots are a welcome refuge for fry and shrimp. Just keep the mat thinned so it does not choke off light and surface gas exchange.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need fertilizer or CO2?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo CO2 needed. In a well-stocked tank it usually feeds on fish waste alone; in a lightly stocked or new tank, a liquid fertilizer keeps growth lush.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48853479620827,"sku":"SKU:FW5-SWAHYD","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/water-hyacinth-flower-nature-989005.jpg?v=1780947364","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/water-hyacinth-pontederia-crassipes-floating-plant","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}