American white waterlily
Nymphaea odorata
RHS AGM 2022
USDA zones4 to 11
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles moist to wet soil
Size12 inches tall2 to 4 feet wide
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- White
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
American white waterlily (Nymphaea odorata) is an aquatic perennial for low maintenance water gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and moist to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. The white flowers are fragrant and float on the water. They open in the early morning and close about noon. Waterfowl and mammals eat the seeds and other parts of the plant.
Pairs well with American lotus, Yellow pond-lily, and Horsetail.
Native range
AK, AL, AR, AZ, and 51 more places. See all 55
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV; BC, MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, QC, and SK.