5 Common Lake Weeds in Florida (And How to Get Rid of Them)

Not all aquatic plants are created equal. Some are native Florida species that support fish habitat and water quality. Others are invasive or simply overgrown, creating dense mats that block water access, tangle boat propellers, and push out the native vegetation that belongs there. Here are the five most common problem plants we treat on Tampa Bay area lakes and ponds.

Hydrilla is Florida's most problematic aquatic invasive species. It forms dense underwater mats that can grow up to an inch per day in warm Florida water, rapidly covering entire lake surfaces. It outcompetes native plants, depletes oxygen, and creates conditions unusable for swimming, fishing, or boating.

Removal options: Selective herbicides targeting hydrilla while protecting native species. Triploid grass carp for biological control (requires FL FWC permit). Mechanical harvesting for large infestations.

Water hyacinth is a free-floating invasive that forms thick mats on the water surface. It spreads aggressively -- a single acre can double within weeks under Florida growing conditions -- and severely reduces sunlight, oxygen, and water access.

Removal options: Herbicide treatment is the most effective and cost-efficient approach. Mechanical removal for mats near docks and swim areas. Biological control programs exist but are slower-acting.

Cattails are native plants, but in Florida's disturbed shoreline environments they can expand rapidly and take over large sections of a lake's edge. Dense cattail stands eliminate open water access, reduce habitat diversity, and are notoriously persistent.

Removal options: Cutting below the waterline during the growing season stresses the root system. Herbicide application directly to cut stems or foliage is the most effective approach for established stands.

Torpedograss is one of the most difficult aquatic weeds to control in Florida. This invasive grass grows along shorelines and into the water, establishing dense rhizome networks that are extremely difficult to eradicate once established.

Removal options: Repeated herbicide treatment targeting rhizome systems. Mechanical removal alone is ineffective due to aggressive regrowth from root fragments. Persistence is key -- multiple treatment cycles are typically required.

Alligatorweed is a mat-forming invasive that grows along Florida shorelines and extends into shallow water. It establishes quickly after disturbance and can grow both aquatically and terrestrially.

Removal options: Herbicide treatment is most effective. Biological controls are used in large restoration projects. Mechanical removal provides temporary relief in high-use areas.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Florida DEP regulations govern aquatic plant removal and herbicide use on public waters. Most treatments on public lakes require permits. Lakeshore Restoration Services handles all permit applications and works within Florida DEP and FWC guidelines. Contact us for a property assessment in the Tampa Bay area.