Greater Bladderwort
Utricularia vulgaris
Last reviewed: August 2026
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
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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.
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