How much sun does Little Floatingheart need?

Little Floatingheart grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Little Floatingheart bloom?

Little Floatingheart blooms in July, August, and September.

Where is Little Floatingheart native?

Little Floatingheart (Nymphoides cordata) is native to AL, CT, DE, FL and 14 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Little Floatingheart attract?

Little Floatingheart draws bees and flies.

Is Little Floatingheart HOA-friendly?

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

Little Floatingheart

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Nymphoides cordata

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Little Floatingheart (Nymphoides cordata) 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

4"–12" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, CT, DE, FL and 14 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 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Southeastern Plains Southern Coastal Plain Acadian Plains and Hills Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Little floatingheart is an aquatic native plant with small heart-shaped leaves that float on the water surface. It produces delicate white or yellow flowers from July through September and requires a pond, water garden, or consistently wet soil to thrive.

In an HOA neighborhood

Little Floatingheart 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 water feature or pond installation
Not suitable for typical lawn landscaping
May be viewed as unconventional for front yard use

Wildlife value

The summer blooms attract bees and flies for pollination. As an aquatic plant, it also provides habitat for pond wildlife and helps oxygenate water features.

Common questions

How much sun does Little Floatingheart need?: Little Floatingheart grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Little Floatingheart bloom?: Little Floatingheart blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Little Floatingheart native?: Little Floatingheart (Nymphoides cordata) is native to AL, CT, DE, FL and 14 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Little Floatingheart attract?: Little Floatingheart draws bees and flies.
Is Little Floatingheart HOA-friendly?: Little Floatingheart 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.

Ready to grow Little Floatingheart? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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