About Water Hyacinth
A free-floating aquatic plant with glossy, rounded leaves buoyed by spongy, inflated petioles and beautiful spikes of lavender-blue flowers with a yellow spot. While undeniably attractive, water hyacinth is one of the world's most notorious invasive aquatic weeds. In the Philippines, it clogs rivers and lakes but has also been ingeniously repurposed — Filipino artisans weave dried water hyacinth fibers into bags, furniture, baskets, and home decor. Water Hyacinth belongs to the Pontederiaceae family and originates from Amazon Basin, South America; now invasive across tropical waterways worldwide, including the Philippines..
Water hyacinth is a double-edged plant in the Philippines. It chokes waterways like Laguna de Bay, Pasig River, and countless provincial rivers, costing millions in removal and cleanup. However, Filipino ingenuity turned this invasive weed into a livelihood — communities in Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan harvest and dry the stems to weave into bags, baskets, furniture, and home decor sold in local markets and exported globally. Some aquaculture farmers use it for water filtration in fish ponds. If grown ornamentally, keep it strictly contained in closed ponds or containers — NEVER release into natural waterways.
Also known as: Gabi-gabihan, Water Lily, Floating Hyacinth.
Popular Varieties
- Eichhornia crassipes (standard species — lavender flowers)
- Eichhornia azurea (anchored water hyacinth — less invasive, rooted form)
How to Plant Water Hyacinth in the Philippines
Water Hyacinth can be propagated through stolons (runners), division. The recommended method is simply separate daughter plants from the stolons — they root and grow instantly.
Propagation Steps
- Step 1: Select a healthy mother plant with multiple rosettes connected by stolons.
- Step 2: Gently pull apart or cut individual rosettes, each with its own roots.
- Step 3: Place directly on the surface of still or slow-moving water.
- Step 4: No planting medium needed — plants float freely.
- Step 5: Growth is extremely rapid; a single plant can double its coverage in 2 weeks under Philippine conditions.
Care Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade (grows fastest in full sun, tolerates some shade). Position your water hyacinth where it receives the right amount of light for healthy growth in Philippine conditions.
Water
Aquatic — floats on water surface. No watering needed. Maintain water depth of at least 15 cm. Adjust frequency during the Philippine rainy season when humidity is higher and soil stays moist longer.
Temperature & Humidity
Ideal temperature range: 25-35°C (explosive growth in Philippine tropical temperatures year-round). Not applicable — aquatic plant The warm, humid Philippine climate is well-suited for growing water hyacinth outdoors or indoors.
Fertilizer
None needed in most cases — water hyacinth absorbs nutrients directly from the water. In nutrient-poor ornamental ponds, a small amount of pond fertilizer supports growth.
Pruning
Essential — regularly remove excess plants to prevent the colony from taking over the entire water surface. Compost removed plants or dry for crafts.
Toxicity & Safety
Non-toxic to humans, though not commonly eaten. May accumulate heavy metals from polluted water — avoid using plants from dirty rivers for crafts without proper drying and cleaning.
Common Problems & Solutions
Plant takes over entire pond
Cause: Natural behavior — extremely fast reproduction in nutrient-rich water
Solution: Harvest excess plants weekly. Keep coverage to under 50% of the water surface to maintain oxygen for fish. Compost or dry removed plants.
Yellowing leaves
Cause: Nutrient-poor water or overcrowding
Solution: Thin out the colony. If water is very clean/filtered, add a small amount of balanced liquid fertilizer to the water.
Mosquito breeding underneath
Cause: Stagnant water trapped under dense plant mats
Solution: Keep coverage manageable. Stock pond with mosquito fish (tilapia fry work too). Remove dense mats regularly.
No flowers
Cause: Overcrowding or insufficient sunlight
Solution: Thin the colony and ensure full sun exposure. Well-spaced plants flower more readily.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you care for Water Hyacinth in the Philippines?
Water Hyacinth needs full sun to partial shade (grows fastest in full sun, tolerates some shade). Water aquatic — floats on water surface. no watering needed. maintain water depth of at least 15 cm.. Feed with none needed in most cases — water hyacinth absorbs nutrients directly from the water. in nutrient-poor ornamental ponds, a small amount of pond fertilizer supports growth.. The Philippine climate with temperatures of 25-35°C (explosive growth in Philippine tropical temperatures year-round) works well for this plant.
How do you propagate Water Hyacinth?
The recommended method is simply separate daughter plants from the stolons — they root and grow instantly. Select a healthy mother plant with multiple rosettes connected by stolons. Gently pull apart or cut individual rosettes, each with its own roots.
Is Water Hyacinth toxic to pets or children?
Non-toxic to humans, though not commonly eaten. May accumulate heavy metals from polluted water — avoid using plants from dirty rivers for crafts without proper drying and cleaning.
Can Water Hyacinth grow in containers in the Philippines?
Yes, Water Hyacinth grows well in containers and is suitable for balcony and indoor gardening in Metro Manila condos and apartments. Use a pot with drainage holes and appropriate potting mix.
What are common problems when growing Water Hyacinth?
Common issues include: Plant takes over entire pond (caused by natural behavior — extremely fast reproduction in nutrient-rich water — harvest excess plants weekly. keep coverage to under 50% of the water surface to maintain oxygen for fish. compost or dry removed plants); Yellowing leaves (caused by nutrient-poor water or overcrowding — thin out the colony. if water is very clean/filtered, add a small amount of balanced liquid fertilizer to the water); Mosquito breeding underneath (caused by stagnant water trapped under dense plant mats — keep coverage manageable. stock pond with mosquito fish (tilapia fry work too). remove dense mats regularly).
Growing water hyacinth in Manila? Tag us @urbangoesgreen on TikTok and show us your garden!