What Pond Owners Need to Know

A major change is coming for Michigan pond owners.

Effective June 19, 2026, Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) will officially become prohibited invasive species in Michigan. After that date, these plants can no longer legally be sold, imported, propagated, or distributed within the state.

For many water gardeners, this news has been disappointing.

These floating plants have long been favorites in ornamental ponds because they are both beautiful and functional. Pond owners use them to naturally help shade the water, compete with algae for nutrients, reduce excess sunlight exposure, and provide additional cover for fish during the hottest parts of summer.

For many backyard ponds, they have become part of a healthy seasonal balance.

Why Michigan Made This Decision

According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), these plants can spread aggressively if introduced into natural waterways.

Because Water Hyacinth and Water Lettuce reproduce rapidly, escaped populations can:

• Crowd out native aquatic plants
• Reduce oxygen levels in waterways
• Interfere with water flow
• Impact fish and wildlife habitats

State agencies point to infestations discovered in Michigan and surrounding regions as part of the reason for the regulation changes.

Official resources:

• MDARD Proposed Additions to the Invasive Plant Lists
• Michigan Water Hyacinth Information Page
• Michigan Water Lettuce Information Page

Why Many Pond Owners Feel Frustrated

At the same time, many responsible pond keepers feel frustrated by the scope of the decision.

For years, hobbyists have successfully and responsibly used these plants in contained ornamental ponds without issue. Many customers feel that better education about responsible disposal, winter handling, and preventing release into natural waterways could have helped address concerns without requiring a full statewide ban.

Other states have taken different approaches to managing aquatic invasive risks, including:

• Restricting release into natural waterways
• Focusing heavily on public education
• Encouraging responsible containment practices
• Limiting use only in high-risk regions

Because of this, some pond owners are questioning whether a full prohibition was the only possible path forward for Michigan.

These are reasonable conversations for the pond and water gardening community to have.

Responsible Pond Keeping Matters More Than Ever

No matter where someone stands on the decision itself, one thing is clear: responsible pond ownership matters.

At Backyard Oasis, we have always encouraged customers to:
✔ Never release pond plants into lakes, rivers, wetlands, or drains
✔ Properly compost or dispose of excess floating plants
✔ Research plant growth habits before introducing them
✔ Keep ornamental pond plants contained to private water gardens

Most pond owners genuinely care about protecting local ecosystems. Education and responsible stewardship are incredibly important parts of keeping the hobby healthy long-term.

What This Means Moving Forward

Beginning June 19, 2026:

• Michigan stores can no longer legally sell Water Hyacinth or Water Lettuce
• Existing inventory cannot be replenished
• Remaining stock across the state will likely disappear quickly

At Backyard Oasis, we currently still have floating plants available while supplies last.

However, we are intentionally not heavily restocking this close to the deadline. Once inventory is gone, it’s gone.

If floating plants are an important part of your pond setup each summer, we encourage you to stop in sooner rather than later.

Want to Learn More or Share Feedback?

If you would like to learn more about the regulation changes or respectfully share feedback regarding aquatic plant policies in Michigan, we encourage you to review the official resources below:

• Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD)
• Michigan Invasive Species Program
• Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

Thoughtful conversations between pond owners, educators, retailers, and state agencies are important as Michigan continues balancing environmental protection with the needs of responsible water gardeners.