FNPS Plant Database

Nymphaea odorata

white water-lily
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Michelle P (Palm Harbor home landscape)
  • Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
  • Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

white water-lily

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Nymphaea odorata

Family:

Nymphaeaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

aquatic

Size:

Floating--leaves -- spread about 5 ft on water surface.

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

Phenology:

Winter dormant. Blooms sprint to fall when wet and warm.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Aquatic species with floating leaves and flowers. Spreads in appropriate water bodies.

Considerations:

Could overrun small ponds or water features.

Availability:

Quality Nurseries, Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Specialty Provider

Propagation:

Typically from pieces of the underwater stems. Also available containerized.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Aquatic -to- Stays wet

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam, Organic

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators

Flies, bees, and beetles have been recorded. 

Native Habitats:

Aquatic. Marshes, swamps in openings, still water.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

While native in Florida, this species is invasive in other areas, especially the Pacific Northwest.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Wiersema, J. H. (1988). Reproductive Biology of Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 75(3), 795–804.( https://doi.org/10.2307/2399367 ). Accessed 2026.



Nelson, Gil. (2003). Florida's Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Osorio, Rufino. (2001). A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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