How deep should I plant my water lily?

Place the container so the crown of the plant is 15 to 45 centimeters below the water surface.

Do I need to fertilize them?

Yes, use specialized aquatic fertilizer tablets pushed into the soil once a month during the growing season.

Plant guide

American white waterlily.

Nymphaea odorata

Pronounced nim-FEE-uh oh-doh-RAY-tuh

Also known as American Waterlily, American White Waterlily, American water-lily, American white water-lily, Fragrant Water-lily, Fragrant Waterlily, Pond Lily, White Waterlily

Nymphaea odorata — Photo by Dan Vickers (CC0) via gbif

This lovely aquatic plant is a classic beauty for ponds and still water gardens. It produces fragrant white flowers that float gracefully on the surface. You will find it naturally rooted in the mud of shallow lakes or slow moving streams.

Another photo of American white waterlily — Photo by Brandon Johnson (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Aquatic perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 0 days
Mature size: 6 feet wide
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep this plant in a container submerged in water so the leaves can float freely on the surface. Watch for aphids on the leaves or yellowing foliage which might indicate a need for more nutrients. Ensure the water remains still as this plant does not like splashing or strong currents.

Watering: The plant must remain fully submerged in water at all times.
Feeding: Use aquatic fertilizer tablets pushed into the soil near the roots once a month during the growing season.
Pruning: Remove yellowing or dead leaves and spent flowers to keep the water clean and encourage new growth.
Repotting: Divide the rhizomes every one to two years to prevent the plant from becoming root bound in its container.
Soil: Heavy clay or aquatic soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: 0 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 100%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

The plant stops blooming regularly.
Roots are growing out of the drainage holes.
The container feels crowded with thick rhizomes.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, though it is not typically consumed raw.
Children: Keep a close eye on small children near water features where this plant grows to prevent accidental falls.
Contact allergens: There are no notable skin irritants associated with this plant.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can cause mild respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: The rhizomes are edible when cooked, but ensure they are harvested from clean, non-polluted water sources.

How to identify it

Large floating circular green leaves
Fragrant white flowers with yellow centers
Leaves have a deep basal notch
Flowers open during the day

Height: 0.05 to 0.15m
Spread: 0.9 to 1.8m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, pink, 8 to 15cm
Fruit: brown, late summer

Problems to watch for

Water lily beetle · Small beetles that chew holes in the leaves and flowers.
Crown rot · A fungal infection that causes the base of the plant to decay.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: In cold climates, move the container to the bottom of the pond below the ice line. If the pond freezes solid, move the plant to a cool, dark, frost-free location in a bucket of water.
In containers: It is excellent for container ponds, provided the pot is at least 30 centimeters wide and deep.

Rhizome Division

1. Remove the plant from its container in early spring.
2. Cut the rhizome into sections, ensuring each piece has at least one growing bud.
3. Replant the sections in fresh aquatic soil and submerge them.

Group aquatic plants by their preferred water depth to ensure every species gets the right amount of light and space.

Grows well with

Pickerelweed · It adds vertical interest and thrives in similar water depths.
Cattail · It provides a natural backdrop for the floating lily pads.

Similar species

Yellow Water Lily · It has similar growth habits but features distinct yellow, cup-shaped flowers.

Science

Family: Nymphaeaceae
Genus: Nymphaea
Order: Nymphaeales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern North America
Conservation: This plant is common and not of conservation concern in most of its native range.

It grows in still or slow-moving freshwater, where its floating leaves provide essential shade and shelter for fish and aquatic insects.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, provides cover for aquatic life
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: ornamental water gardens, naturalizing ponds, wildlife habitat

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 9/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How deep should I plant my water lily?: Place the container so the crown of the plant is 15 to 45 centimeters below the water surface.
Do I need to fertilize them?: Yes, use specialized aquatic fertilizer tablets pushed into the soil once a month during the growing season.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Nymphaea comes from the Greek word for water nymphs, while the species name odorata highlights the fragrant blooms.

Good to know

The specific epithet odorata refers to the sweet, pleasant scent of the flowers.
These plants help keep pond water clear by shading the surface and reducing algae growth.
The leaves are attached to long, flexible stalks that allow them to rise and fall with changing water levels.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.