How to Cut a Water Hyacinth Plant

Overview

Water hyacinth, or Eichornia crassipes, reproduces rapidly and spreads aggressively. A single plant can quickly become hundreds, taking over an entire pond. It's easy to detach plants from an existing colony's mass. Don't worry that you might harvest too much or too little of the plant's huge, dense root system. Water hyacinth will be oblivious to any damage that you may inflict. Although it's practically impossible for you to harm a water hyacinth, its only natural enemy will effectively destroy the plant. Hardy only to about 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, an extended freezing spell will kill them.

Step 1

Pull on long rubber gloves and waders or hip boots. Water hyacinths can irritate your skin, and this is a messy activity.

Step 2

Wade into the pond where the plants are floating if you can't access them from the bank.

Step 3

Grab a handful of the floating water hyacinth plant at the water's surface, and pull it straight upward. The selected plants will break away easily, bringing a large wad of root system with them. Alternately, plunge a pitchfork into the water just beneath the plants and scoop them up if you'd rather not harvest them by hand. Deposit them in five-gallon pails for easy transport.

Step 4

Toss thinned or unwanted water hyacinths onto your compost heap. They degrade rapidly and are excellent for adding nutrients. The plants are commonly used in manufacturing commercial fertilizers. Don't dump them into unconfined bodies of water, or any body of water not situated on your own property.