dorata Fragrant White Hardy Water Lily (Species) — Native, Sweetly Scented Classic

The Odorata Fragrant White Hardy Water Lily (Nymphaea odorata) is North America’s beloved species water lily: pure-white, star-to-cup blooms (4–6") with a sweet, clean fragrance over broad green pads. A dependable perennial pond plant, this hardy water lily thrives in naturalized ponds, lined water gardens, and large containers—returning every spring with elegant, native charm.

Why Customers Love It

• Sweetly fragrant white flowers that open in morning light

• Native species—beautiful, vigorous, and cold-tolerant

• Steady bloomer in full sun with simple tablet feeding

• Great for natural ponds and eco-friendly plantings

Plant Requirements (quick reference)

• Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours of strong midday light

• Container: 14–18"+ wide, shallow aquatic container (fabric pots preferred)

• Depth (soil surface → water surface): 6–24" (best bloom at 6–12")

• Spread: ~4–6 ft when established

• Soil: Heavy loam topsoil only (no bagged mix, peat, or gravel)

Care & Fertilizing (simple schedule)

• Fertilizer tablets: 4 tablets on the 1st & 15th of each month (May–September)

• Application: Push tablets 3–4" into the soil around (not on) the crown

• Maintenance: Trim spent blooms/yellow leaves; divide every 2–3 years to manage spread and keep blooming strong

Water Lily Planting Tips

• Plant shallower (6–12") for faster warm-up and more flowers

• Keep surface water open—remove floaters so pads get direct sun

• Never cover the crown with stones or gravel; leave it slightly exposed

• Use wide, shallow containers to encourage rhizome run and flower production

• Place away from splashing or heavy aeration—still water shows blooms best

Do’s & Don’ts

Do

• Plant in full sun and heavy loam

• Fertilize twice monthly on schedule for continuous blooms

• Repot immediately on arrival; keep all parts wet while planting

Don’t

• ❌ Don’t use compost/peat mixes, “aquatic media,” or gravel (they float, rot, or smother crowns)

• ❌ Don’t let floating plants shade Odorata—light drives flowering

• ❌ Don’t plant too deep (>24") if you want frequent blooms

Helpful Links

• Full Planting Instructions →

• Waterlily World® Fertilizer Tablets →

• PondGro™ Aquatic Loam Soil →

• Aquatic Containers →

• PondGro™ Fabric Pots →

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Shipped as: a live young adult plant (rhizome with leaves/lilypads). Plant immediately in heavy loam soil at the recommended depth. Minor leaf yellowing from transit is normal and quickly replaced by new growth.