Eichhornia Crassipes
Pontederia crassipes Mart. (syn. Eichhornia crassipes)
Eichhornia crassipes, the Water Hyacinth, is a floating tropical aquatic plant native to the Amazon basin, renowned for its spectacular spikes of lavender-blue flowers with a distinctive yellow-spotted upper petal. It symbolizes the duality of beauty and power, carrying deep spiritual significance in Hindu traditions while representing both natural abundance and ecological challenge worldwide.
Pontederiaceae (Pickerelweed family)
Year-round in mild frost-free climates; peak blooming in warm months
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: pampas grasss and sidalceas also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Few plants embody a more complex duality than the Water Hyacinth. In its native Amazonia, it is a natural and essential part of freshwater ecosystems. Introduced across the tropical world, it has become the most problematic aquatic weed on the planet, capable of doubling its mass in as little as six to eighteen days and forming mats dense enough to block shipping lanes and deplete aquatic life. Yet this same plant carries profound spiritual beauty. Sri Aurobindo's "Spiritual Significance of Flowers" describes the Water Hyacinth as representing "pure and divine happiness and gladness." In Hindu traditions it is associated with protection against evil, revered by the goddess Kali. Its remarkable upper petal, marked with a vivid yellow eye surrounded by blue and lavender, has long been compared to a peacock feather, a sacred symbol in Hindu and Buddhist iconography. The Water Hyacinth is thus both a botanical marvel and a cautionary emblem of how beauty, left unchecked, can overwhelm entire ecosystems.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun for best flowering and growth; tolerates partial shade with reduced vigor
Water
Fully aquatic; free-floating; thrives in still or slow-moving freshwater; can tolerate salinities up to 8 ppt but not brackish or salt water
Soil
Aquatic; free-floating; roots hang freely in water, Tolerates a wide range of water quality including nutrient-rich and polluted water
Expert Growing Tips
In USDA zones 8-11, can be grown as a perennial water garden plant; overwinter indoors in cold climates
Provide full sun for best flowering; blooms most prolifically in nutrient-rich water
CRITICAL WARNING: Water hyacinth is illegal to possess without a permit in Florida and many other US states; it is prohibited or regulated as an invasive species in many countries; NEVER release it into natural waterways
In garden ponds, contain within a net or cage to prevent uncontrolled spread
Harvest regularly to maintain manageable levels; harvested plant material makes excellent compost or mulch
Excellent for water purification: the roots absorb heavy metals, excess nitrogen, and phosphorus from polluted water
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Ornamental water garden and pond plant for its spectacular lavender flower spikes
- Natural water purification and phytoremediation in garden ponds and water features
- Habitat and shelter provider for aquatic invertebrates and small fish
- Crafts and woven goods made from dried stems and leaves (baskets, furniture, textiles)
- Biological indicator of nutrient enrichment in water bodies
Traditional Uses
- In Hindu sacred traditions, associated with purity and used in ceremonial offerings
- Leaves used in parts of Africa and Asia in traditional medicine for skin conditions
- Used as animal fodder in integrated fish-pig-water hyacinth farming systems in Southeast Asia
- Subject of phytoremediation research for removal of heavy metals from contaminated water
- Biomass used for biogas production: one hectare of standing crop can produce over 70,000 cubic meters of biogas
- Dried plant material used for making textiles, paper, and baskets in parts of Africa and Asia
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Eichhornia Crassipes
What does the Water Hyacinth symbolize?
Water Hyacinth symbolizes the duality of beauty and power, grace, and spiritual purity. In Hindu traditions it is associated with protection and divine happiness. Its lavender flowers and distinctive peacock-feather-like upper petal give it a sacred quality in South Asian spiritual traditions, while its remarkable resilience makes it a symbol of natural abundance.
Why is Water Hyacinth considered invasive?
Eichhornia crassipes is considered one of the world's worst aquatic weeds because it can double its mass in as little as six to eighteen days under favorable conditions. The dense floating mats it forms block sunlight to underwater plants, deplete oxygen, impede navigation, harm fisheries, and reduce biodiversity. Outside its native Amazon basin it has spread to freshwater systems across Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America.
Is it legal to grow Water Hyacinth?
It depends on your location. Water Hyacinth is prohibited for possession, sale, or transport without a permit in Florida and many other US states, as well as being regulated as invasive in many countries. In temperate regions where it cannot survive outdoors year-round, restrictions may be less strict, but you should always check local regulations before obtaining the plant and NEVER release it into any natural water body.
What are the benefits of Water Hyacinth?
Despite its invasive reputation, Water Hyacinth has remarkable bioremediation properties. Its roots absorb heavy metals, nitrogen, and phosphorus from polluted water, making it effective for water purification. The harvested biomass can be used as animal fodder, compost, green manure, and raw material for textiles, paper, and biogas production.
Is Eichhornia crassipes the same as Pontederia crassipes?
Yes. The species was reclassified in recent taxonomic revisions, and the currently accepted name is Pontederia crassipes. The name Eichhornia crassipes is still widely used in older literature, horticulture, and popular sources, and the plant is the sole species of the subgenus Oshunae within the genus Pontederia.
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