Eichhornia crassipes

[dominique]

I bring a little plantul in march after a travel in Martinique and to day, surprise !

[Maggi Young]

Very pretty, Dom, but don't let it escape to the river - you know it can be very  invasive ?

[Lesley Cox]

Is that water hyacinth then?

[fleurbleue]

Don't be afraid Maggi, it's not hardy to light frosts 

[Gerdk]

Is that water hyacinth then?

Yes, it is Lesley! Each spring offered in local garden centers here - no need to go to Martinique. 

Gerd

[Ezeiza]

"Don't be afraid Maggi, it's not hardy to light frosts"

Don't be cheated by this. The upper part of the plant gets easily "cooked" by frost, but can resprout in spring from the base that is undamaged. This happens every year in my lattitude in South America.

Of course if the pond, lake, gets frozen solid the plant will die but otherwise the plant can resprout.

Rgds

[fleurbleue]

I have lost it every winter after I have put it in my pond in spring Ezeiza  so, I  use it as an annual plant 

[Lesley Cox]

It is a plant which is specifically prohibited here. That is, it is illegal to grow it either deliberately or unintentionally. If it is on one's property there is a statutory obligation to kill it.

[dominique]

It is a plant which is specifically prohibited here. That is, it is illegal to grow it either deliberately or unintentionally. If it is on one's property there is a statutory obligation to kill it.

I had bought some some years ago in garden center but never bloomed. This one is in memory of my travel in Martinique and bloom the first season. I have it on a little basin and it can't go away on the river. No risk