Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my Water Hyacinth

Water Hyacinth is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of planting in aquatic baskets with specialist pond compost in the early stages and paid for it. root-eating by water lily aphids or china mark moth also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in an indoor water feature with appropriate species which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. essential habitat and breeding ground for pond wildlife is visible but muted. peak flowering period in midsummer gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.