How to Grow Odorata Nana Water Lily
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Odorata Nana Water Lily
Nymphaea odorata var. minor
flowerOdorata Nana is a miniature fragrant water lily cultivar prized for its delicate, sweetly-scented white or pale pink flowers and compact growth habit. Ideal for small ponds, container water gardens, and aquatic displays, this hardy perennial produces floating leaves and blooms throughout the growing season. It is a dwarf selection of the native North American fragrant water lily.
When should you plant Odorata Nana Water Lily in your zone?
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Example Odorata Nana Water Lily timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Odorata Nana Water Lily
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Odorata Nana Water Lily blooms
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Odorata Nana Water Lily dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9; hardy and cold-tolerant
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Dormancy
October-March (or winter period in your zone)Plant rests during winter with rhizome dormant at pond bottom or in cold storage
Reduce fertilizer in fall; allow foliage to die back naturally; protect from freezing in zones below 5 by moving containers indoors or covering pond
Sprouting
4-6 weeks after last frostNew shoots emerge from rhizome in spring as water temperature warms above 60°F; tiny paddle-shaped leaves unfurl
Begin fertilizing with aquatic plant tablets; ensure adequate sunlight; maintain water depth of 12-18 inches
Vegetative Growth
6-8 weeksFloating leaves expand and spread across water surface; plant establishes healthy foliage canopy with multiple stems developing
Continue regular fertilization every 2-3 weeks; monitor for algae and remove excess leaves if coverage exceeds 50% of water surface; thin if overcrowded
Flowering
June-September (continuous blooming throughout growing season)Fragrant blooms appear above or at water surface, typically white with yellow stamens or pale pink; flowers open in morning and close by afternoon
Maintain consistent water level and sun exposure; deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms; continue fertilizing; ensure rhizome remains properly positioned
Seed Development & Dormancy Preparation
September-OctoberFlowers fade and seed pods may form; plant begins slowing growth as days shorten and water temperature drops in fall
Reduce fertilization as temperatures cool; allow foliage to die back; prepare for dormancy by removing dead leaves; thin out excess growth
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray foliage with strong water stream to dislodge; apply insecticidal soap rated for aquatic use; introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs
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Remove affected leaves; manually pick off beetles; use yellow sticky traps; apply neem oil if infestation is severe (use aquatic-safe formulations)
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Remove skeletonized leaves promptly; maintain water quality; introduce parasitic wasps; reduce nitrogen fertilization which encourages soft growth
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and
Maintain good water circulation without excessive current; avoid overfeeding fish if present; remove decomposing plant matter regularly
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Ensure adequate air circulation and sunlight; remove affected leaves immediately; maintain proper water pH and quality; avoid overcrowding
Uses
Edible Flowers & Seeds
CulinaryWater lily flowers are used as edible garnishes in gourmet cuisine and are prized for their delicate sweetness. Seeds can be harvested, roasted, and eaten as a snack in traditional cuisines. [source]
Traditional Herbal Remedy
MedicinalWater lily root and leaves have been used in traditional Asian medicine for their cooling and calming properties, traditionally employed in herbal preparations for sleep support and digestive health. [source]
Fragrance & Aromatics
HouseholdThe naturally fragrant flowers provide a subtle, sweet scent to garden spaces and can be floated in water bowls indoors for natural room fragrance without artificial products. [source]
Pollinator & Aquatic Habitat Support
WildlifeWater lilies provide essential habitat, food, and shelter for aquatic insects, frogs, fish, and beneficial pollinators including bees and dragonflies. The floating leaves offer resting platforms for amphibians. [source]
Floral Arrangement & Decoration
CraftOdorata Nana blooms are highly valued by floral designers for wedding arrangements, spa displays, and botanical photography due to their elegant form and fragrance. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Water lilies are ornamental flowers not typically harvested in traditional sense. Cut blooms for displays in early morning when newly opened; float in shallow bowls of water indoors; blooms last 3-4 days. For seed saving, allow spent flowers to mature into seed pods underwater, then collect and dry seeds. Divide rhizomes in spring every 3-4 years to rejuvenate plants and propagate new specimens.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Odorata Nana is a miniature cultivar of Nymphaea odorata, the fragrant water lily native to eastern North America, which was historically used by Native Americans and early colonists as a food and medicinal plant.
- 🌱 Water lily flowers exhibit a fascinating behavior called 'nyctinasty'—they open in the morning and close by afternoon, with some varieties remaining open for only a few hours.
- 🌱 The Odorata Nana's name 'odorata' comes from the Latin word for fragrant, and it is one of the few water lily varieties with a strong, pleasant sweet scent that carries across the water on warm evenings.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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