Container Water Gardens: Water Lettuce, Hyacinth, and Mosquito Control

Containers

Storage totes (5.5″ H × 16″ W × 22.5″ L) work for water lettuce/hyacinth. They like confinement. Add liquid fertilizer for hyacinth. Bring inside winter (Zone 5/6) – need strong light (metal halide or sunny window).

Mosquito Control (No Bettas/Goldfish)

• Mosquito fish (Gambusia) or rosy red minnows – cold-hardy, but need indoor winter housing in Zone 5/6.
• Tropical fish (danios, barbs) – must come inside.
• Bti (Mosquito Dunks/Bits or Microbe-Lift liquid) – safe, effective, no fish needed.

Container Tips

• Use sturdy totes (Rubbermaid/ Sterilite bow over time).
• Deeper (12″+) better for root space and temperature stability.
• Consider plastic livestock troughs – won't bow, various sizes.

Winter Care

Plants rarely survive indoors without intense light. Compost them, restart spring. Fish must come inside or use Bti.