Water hyacinth is a necessary and obnoxious aquatic plant. It forms dense free-floating mats. It will also root in sediment if stranded. It derives all of its nutrients from the water. As the mats develop, growth is primarily dedicated to root production constituting as much as 50% of the total plant biomass. Reproduction is prolific, vegetatively. Often out-of-control, water hyacinth plants clogs and block the free flow of rivers, streams, and tributaries.

It is a pest and invasive plant that has only recently come to the attention of handicrafts lovers. Where other wicker fibers (bamboo, fern, palm, rattan) are often grown for harvest, water hyacinth is almost free for the taking.  Photo by Willey Durden, USDA Agricultural Research Service, United States

The water hyacinth products shown below are only a few of the hundreds of designs & products vendors in both Thailand and Vietnam can make for you.