Nymphoides spp.
Non-Herbicide Management Options
1. Physical Management Options
Floating heart can be cut and the rhizomes can be dug up, but physical control is difficult.
2. Biological Management Options
There is no known biological control for floating heart at this time.
Herbicide Control Options
Always read the product label for directions and precautions, as the label is the law. Click on the name of the product to see the label. Read the label for specific water use restrictions.
The active ingredients that have been successful in treating floating heart include:
- 2,4-D (Rated: Excellent)
- Endothall (Rated: Good)
- Triclopyr (Rated: Excellent)
- Glyphosate (Rated: Good)
- Imazamox (Rated: Good)
- Fluridone (Rated: Excellent)
- Penoxsulam (Rated: Good)
- Florpyrauxifen-benzyl
These rating are based upon the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers aquatic herbicide trials.
1) 2,4-D:
2,4-D compounds are systemic herbicides. Systemic herbicides are absorbed and move within the plant to the site of action. Systemic herbicides tend to act more slowly than contact herbicides.
Common trade or product names include but are not limited to:
2) Endothall
Dipotassium salts of endothall come in both liquid and granular form. It can be mixed with copper compounds for additional effectiveness. Contact herbicides act quickly and kill all plant cells that they come into contact with.
Common trade and product names include but are not limited to:
Alkyl amine salts of endothall come in both liquid and granular form. It is a contact herbicide.
Common trade and product names include but are not limited to:
Hydrothol can be toxic to fish.
3) Triclopyr
Liquid triclopyr formulation is a selective broadleaf, systemic herbicide. Systemic herbicides are absorbed and move within the plant to the site of action. Systemic herbicides tend to act more slowly than contact herbicides. An aquatically registered surfactant (see the label) will improve the effectiveness of triclopyr.
Common trade or product names include but are not limited to:
4) Glyphosate:
Liquid glyphosate formulations have been effective on floating heart. It is a broad spectrum, systemic herbicide. Systemic herbicides are absorbed and move within the plant to the site of action. Systemic herbicides tend to act more slowly than contact herbicides. An aquatically registered surfactant (see the label) will have to be added to the glyphosate solution for good results.
Common trade or product names include but are not limited to:
5) Imazamox:
Imazamox is a broad spectrum, systemic herbicide. Systemic herbicides are absorbed and move within the plant to the site of action. Systemic herbicides tend to act more slowly than contact herbicides. An aquatically registered surfactant (see the label) is needed for application.
Common trade or product names include but are not limited to:
6) Fluridone
Fluridone is a broad spectrum, systemic herbicide. Systemic herbicides are absorbed and move within the plant to the site of action. Systemic herbicides tend to act more slowly than contact herbicides.
Common trade and product names include but are not limited to:
7) Penoxsulam
Penoxsulam is a broad spectrum, systemic herbicide. Systemic herbicides are absorbed and move within the plant to the site of action. Systemic herbicides tend to act more slowly than contact herbicides. It may be sprayed directly onto emergent plants or applied directly into the water. Penoxsulam should not be applied in areas where it will be diluted rapidly. This herbicide will need a registered surfactant (see the label) for leaf and exposed sediment applications.
Common trade and product names include but are not limited to:
8) Florpyrauxifen-benzyl
Florpyrauxifen-benzyl is a systemic herbicide. Systemic herbicides are absorbed and move within the plant to the site of action. Systemic herbicides tend to act more slowly than contact herbicides.
Common trade and product names include but are not limited to:
Currently, ProcellaCOR EC is only available through SePRO Stewards of Water who are PRO Certified as ProcellaCOR Specialists.
Precautions
One danger with any chemical control method is the chance of an oxygen depletion after the treatment caused by the decomposition of the dead plant material. Oxygen depletion can kill fish in the pond. If the pond is heavily infested with weeds, it may be possible (depending on the herbicide chosen) to treat the pond in sections and let each section decompose for about two weeks before treating another section. Aeration, particularly at night, for several days after treatment may help control the oxygen depletion.
One common problem in using aquatic herbicides is determining area and/or volume of the pond or area to be treated. To assist you with these determinations see SRAC #103 Calculating Area and Volume of Ponds and Tanks.
Many aquatically registered herbicides have water use restrictions (See General Water Use Restrictions).
To see the labels for these products click on the name. Always read and follow all label directions. Check label for specific water use restrictions.
Cultivation Options
Some species of floating heart can be propagated by transplanting the rhizomes into shallow, clear water during the winter.
Yellow floating hear (Nymphoides peltata) and crested floating heart (Nymphoides cristata) should not be grown as they are invasive and illegal to possess or transport this species in Texas. Please report sightings to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at (512) 389-4800.
Questions?
If you need assistance, contact the ag & natural resource agent in your county or hire a professional.