When does fragrant water-lily bloom?

Fragrant water-lily typically flowers from June through September, with individual blooms opening in the morning and closing by early afternoon.

What kind of water conditions does fragrant water-lily need?

This plant grows rooted in mud at the bottom of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving water, with its leaves and flowers floating on the surface. It needs consistently high water levels and does not tolerate drying out.

How much sun does fragrant water-lily need?

Fragrant water-lily grows best in full sun to part sun. Flowering tends to decrease in more shaded water.

What pollinates fragrant water-lily?

Bees and beetles visit the flowers of fragrant water-lily, drawn to their fragrance and pollen.

Is Fragrant Water-lily HOA-friendly?

Fragrant Water-lily takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Fragrant Water-lily

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Nymphaea odorata

Last reviewed: August 2026

Fragrant water-lily is a floating aquatic forb with white blooms from June through September, found in ponds, lakes and slow streams across much of the eastern and central United States.

Toxicity unknown

Fragrant Water-lily (Nymphaea odorata) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part sun

Water

high

Size

0"–12" H × 24"–72" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 31 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Great Plains Cross Timbers Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Great Plains Piedmont Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Northern Forests Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Fragrant water-lily is an aquatic perennial that produces beautiful white flowers floating on the water surface from summer through early fall. This plant requires standing water like ponds or water gardens and spreads via underwater rhizomes to form colonies of lily pads.

Growing Fragrant Water-lily

Grow Fragrant Water-lily in part sun and high water. Mature plants reach 0 to 12 inches tall and spread 24 to 72 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Fragrant Water-lily takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Requires permanent water feature
Can spread aggressively in ponds
Not suitable for typical residential landscaping

Wildlife value

The fragrant blooms attract bees and beetles for pollination. Seeds and rhizomes provide food for waterfowl and other aquatic wildlife.

Common questions

When does fragrant water-lily bloom?: Fragrant water-lily typically flowers from June through September, with individual blooms opening in the morning and closing by early afternoon.
What kind of water conditions does fragrant water-lily need?: This plant grows rooted in mud at the bottom of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving water, with its leaves and flowers floating on the surface. It needs consistently high water levels and does not tolerate drying out.
How much sun does fragrant water-lily need?: Fragrant water-lily grows best in full sun to part sun. Flowering tends to decrease in more shaded water.
What pollinates fragrant water-lily?: Bees and beetles visit the flowers of fragrant water-lily, drawn to their fragrance and pollen.
Is Fragrant Water-lily HOA-friendly?: Fragrant Water-lily takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

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