Water Hyacinth Baskets — An Attractive Alternative for Plastic Bags

Water hyacinth is widely famous as a sustainable plant. Vietnamese people use its soft and flexible nature to manufacture bulk wicker baskets. Recently, water hyacinths have gained popularity as a sustainable material used in a plethora of home goods. 

Water Hyacinths — What Kind of Plants are They? 

Essentially a free-floating, flowering aquatic plant, water hyacinths are native to the Amazon Basin in South America. The plant is glocally naturalised and is commonly present in ponds, lakes and rivers. The plant grows rapidly and forms a dense mat within a short time. 

The thick, glossy, ovate leaves of water hyacinths are about 4 to 8 inches wide. Tuber-like nodules elevate these leaves above water, making them float. Their spongy, bulbous stalks range from 50 to 70 cm in length. The flowers, featuring 8 to 15 blooms per single spike, make the plant even more noticeable. Most of these flowers are supported by an upright stalk and have six petals, while their colour ranges from pink to lavender. 

What makes Water Hyacinth Wickers so Popular? 

Local people usually harvest the stems of water hyacinth and use them for manufacturing homeware items. The stalks of water hyacinths are bulbous, spongy and lightweight, containing air-filled tissues that keep the plant afloat. Wicker basket makers dry these stems under the sun for about 2-3 days to give them a natural warm yellow-brown colour and a soft and shiny texture. 

Water hyacinth stalks are widely considered a great weaving material for producing wicker baskets and other home decor products. When processed and woven finely, water hyacinth wicker items last for nearly 3 to 5 years. It is a cent per cent biodegradable, non-toxic, eco-friendly, and safe for users. 

Much like other natural fibres, driest water hyacinths feature good hygroscopicity and are prone to moulds. Water hyacinth homewares play an integral role in retaining the quality and aesthetic of your item while preventing mould. 

How Useful are Water Hyacinth Baskets? 

Many people today opine water hyacinth baskets serve as the ideal solution for multipurpose storage. They can be used for storage of food, fruit or bread, laundry, accessories holder, clothes, or attractive decorative items for your space. 

The earthy tone piece of water hyacinth wicker items contributes an organic, natural interior decor theme to your space. Products made from water hyacinth baskets fit into diversified spaces, such as bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, hotels, and offices. Possessing good hygroscopic properties, water hyacinth wickers should be stored in a dry, ventilated place. 

Toxicity of Water Hyacinth Baskets 

Water hyacinth baskets cast no negative impact on users. The stems of these plants feature non-toxic fibres and are natural, which do not go through detrimental processing with chemicals. Thus, water hyacinth wickers are completely safe for users. 

Water hyacinth wicker baskets are durable and perfect for every room decor. Due to their high hygroscopicity, these baskets are ideal for indoor usage to maintain long-term aesthetics. Mould on water hyacinth wicker baskets can be easily cleaned using bleach, water mould, and mildew remover method. 

Frequently vacuum water hyacinth baskets and other homewares to keep them clean. In this way, dust that gathers in the woven components can be easily removed. To give it a fresh shine and sheen, use a light soap and water mixture occasionally. However, dry them under the sun completely.

All these factors make hyacinth baskets the most practical and environmentally-friendly alternative to plastic bags and a range of other plastic products.