Greater Bladderwort
Utricularia vulgaris
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Greater Bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris) 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 shade
Water
high
Size
4"–24" H × 12"–36" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, CA, CO, CT and 38 more states
Pollinators
bees
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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
Greater bladderwort is an aquatic carnivorous plant that floats freely in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving water. It produces bright yellow snapdragon-like flowers on stems that rise above the water surface during summer months. This plant requires permanent standing water to survive and cannot be grown in typical garden soil.
In an HOA neighborhood
Greater Bladderwort takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
- Requires permanent standing water which creates mosquito breeding habitat
- Carnivorous nature and floating growth habit appear very unconventional
- Cannot be maintained in typical landscaped areas without water features
Wildlife value
The bright yellow flowers attract bees and other pollinators during the long blooming season from May through September.
Common questions
- How much sun does Greater Bladderwort need?
- Greater Bladderwort grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Greater Bladderwort bloom?
- Greater Bladderwort blooms in May, June, July, August, and September.
- Where is Greater Bladderwort native?
- Greater Bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris) is native to AL, CA, CO, CT and 38 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Greater Bladderwort attract?
- Greater Bladderwort draws bees.
- Is Greater Bladderwort HOA-friendly?
- Greater Bladderwort takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
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
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Greater Bladderwort? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.