The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficiency of Hydrocotyle bonariensis and Nasturtium officinale in the phytoremediation of water contaminated by an environmental liability, determining their adsorption capacity for heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). To achieve this, an experiment was designed under natural conditions without the use of substrates, monitoring physicochemical parameters such as pH, total suspended solids (TSS), and temperature at 15, 30, and 45 days. The results showed that N. officinale was more efficient in the removal of Cd and Pb, achieving a removal efficiency of 78.91%, while H. bonariensis exhibited a higher adsorption capacity for Zn, with a removal rate of 78.88%. It was identified that pH variation significantly influenced the adsorption capacity, with higher efficiency observed under alkaline conditions. Compared to previous studies, it was evidenced that the incorporation of substrates and the combined use of species can enhance the removal of heavy metals in phytoremediation systems. In conclusion, the potential of both species for the decontamination of water bodies affected by heavy metals is confirmed, highlighting the need to optimize their application conditions. The main contribution of this research lies in the evaluation of their efficiency in a substrate-free environment, providing relevant information for future, more sustainable and efficient environmental remediation strategies.