Water Hyacinth/Lettuce

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) are fast-growing floating plants that prefer full to partial sun and are treated as annuals. They grow exponentially, primarily through offshoots, with only a handful needed to take over a pond. These plants are widely used for rapid nutrient absorption, improving water quality, providing shade, and reducing the severity of nuisance algae. Both have roots that dangle freely in the water. Water hyacinths are known for their bulbous, spongy stalks and have the potential to produce short-lived purple flowers. Water lettuce has hydrophobic leaves that resemble a top view of lettuce.