How much sun does Lesser Bladderwort need?

Lesser Bladderwort grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Lesser Bladderwort bloom?

Lesser Bladderwort blooms in June, July, August, and September.

Where is Lesser Bladderwort native?

Lesser Bladderwort (Utricularia minor) is native to AZ, CA, CO, CT and 27 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Lesser Bladderwort toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Lesser Bladderwort as toxic to livestock.

Is Lesser Bladderwort HOA-friendly?

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

Lesser Bladderwort

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Utricularia minor

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Lesser Bladderwort (Utricularia minor) 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.

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

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

2"–6" H × 4"–8" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, CT and 27 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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Puget Lowland Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central Basin and Range Great Plains Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Lesser bladderwort is an unusual aquatic plant that floats in shallow water or grows in very wet soil. This tiny carnivorous plant produces small yellow flowers on short stems above the water surface during summer months.

In an HOA neighborhood

Lesser 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.

Works well in: backyard only.

Requires standing water or bog conditions
Extremely unconventional appearance
May be perceived as pond weeds

Wildlife value

The small yellow flowers attract tiny flying insects, though pollinator information is limited for this specialized aquatic species.

Common questions

How much sun does Lesser Bladderwort need?: Lesser Bladderwort grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Lesser Bladderwort bloom?: Lesser Bladderwort blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is Lesser Bladderwort native?: Lesser Bladderwort (Utricularia minor) is native to AZ, CA, CO, CT and 27 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Lesser Bladderwort toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Lesser Bladderwort as toxic to livestock.
Is Lesser Bladderwort HOA-friendly?: Lesser 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 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.

See all plant problem guides

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