Largeleaf Waterleaf
Hydrophyllum macrophyllum
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Largeleaf Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum macrophyllum) 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
medium
Size
12"–24" H × 8"–16" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AL, AR, GA, IL and 10 more states
Pollinators
bees, flies
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.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Largeleaf Waterleaf.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Largeleaf waterleaf is a native woodland perennial with broad, deeply lobed leaves and clusters of small white to pale purple flowers in late spring. It forms neat clumps in partial shade and goes dormant by midsummer, making it ideal for naturalizing under trees or in woodland gardens.
In an HOA neighborhood
Largeleaf Waterleaf takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Goes completely dormant by midsummer leaving bare spots
- Woodland appearance may look too wild for formal landscapes
- Short bloom period followed by lengthy dormancy
Wildlife value
The spring flowers attract native bees and beneficial flies during their blooming period in May and June.
Common questions
- How much sun does Largeleaf Waterleaf need?
- Largeleaf Waterleaf grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Largeleaf Waterleaf bloom?
- Largeleaf Waterleaf blooms in May and June.
- Where is Largeleaf Waterleaf native?
- Largeleaf Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum macrophyllum) is native to AL, AR, GA, IL and 10 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Largeleaf Waterleaf attract?
- Largeleaf Waterleaf draws bees and flies.
- Is Largeleaf Waterleaf HOA-friendly?
- Largeleaf Waterleaf 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 the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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 Largeleaf Waterleaf? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.