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Banana Waterlily

Nymphaea mexicana

Last reviewed: July 2026

Banana Waterlily (Nymphaea mexicana)
Photo: Mirko Hartig / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Banana Waterlily as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

3"–12" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Native to

AL, FL, GA, LA and 3 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 411 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Banana Waterlily is an aquatic perennial native to Texas that produces bright yellow flowers from spring through fall. This floating plant requires permanent water features like ponds or water gardens and spreads by underwater rhizomes.

In an HOA neighborhood

Banana Waterlily is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

Wildlife value

The flowers attract bees and other pollinators, while the leaves provide shelter for aquatic insects and small fish in pond environments.

Common questions

How much sun does Banana Waterlily need?
Banana Waterlily grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Banana Waterlily bloom?
Banana Waterlily blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.
Where is Banana Waterlily native?
Banana Waterlily (Nymphaea mexicana) is native to AL, FL, GA, LA and 3 more states, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.
Is Banana Waterlily toxic to livestock?
The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Banana Waterlily as toxic to livestock.
Is Banana Waterlily HOA-friendly?
Banana Waterlily is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Banana Waterlily? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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