Water Lily Origami Flower

Craft an enchanting water lily origami flower using just one sheet of paper!

Perfect for Easter decorations, spring festivities, or as a stunning handmade gift for Mother's Day, this easy tutorial will show you how to create a paper bloom that looks just as magical as the real thing.

Transforming a simple sheet of origami paper into an elegant water lily is a beautiful way to bring the natural world to life with your hands.

This project uses a single sheet of origami paper to create a delicate bloom that looks like it's ready to float on a tranquil pond. But, being made of paper we don't recommend this!

The intricate folds capture the charm of real water lilies, making this an ideal craft for springtime, Easter decorations, Valentine's Day, or even Mother's Day gifts.

You can create a single flower as a centerpiece or fold several in various colors to design a stunning display.

Whether you're new to origami or an experienced folder, this flower offers a rewarding experience.

You can customize the colors, sizes, and arrangement to fit any occasion, from bridal showers to baby showers, or even as part of a larger origami bouquet.

With just one sheet of paper, a bit of patience, and this step-by-step guide, you'll have a lovely paper water lily in no time!

If you are after some other easy to make paper flowers, you might like to try these Paper Tulips, Traditional Origami Rose, Origami Lily Flower, Easy Origami Lotus, Simple Origami Flower, or Day Lily Origami Flower.

Why You'll Love This Pattern

• Simple yet stunning: This design is easy to create, even for beginners, but produces a flower that looks intricate and professional.
• Versatile decor: Whether it's for Easter, a Mother's Day brunch, or a spring centerpiece, these flowers bring charm to any setting.
• Customizable size and colors: Make a small bouquet for cards or a large display for table decorations-choose colors that match the occasion.
• Eco-friendly crafting: Using paper instead of store-bought decorations reduces waste and lets you upcycle materials you already have.
• Great gift idea: Add a handmade touch to gifts by including a water lily origami flower. They're thoughtful, creative, and beautiful.
• Relaxing activity: Folding origami can be a mindful and soothing experience, perfect for unwinding or sharing with friends and family.

Skill Level

★☆☆☆☆ (Easy)

Materials Needed

One sheet of square paper, ideally 6x6 inches, but you can adjust the size based on your needs

Paper Size Options

• Square origami paper, e.g. 6x6 inch (15cm x 15cm) paper for a small water lily.
• Larger paper: Use 8x8 inches (20cm x 20cm) or bigger if you want to make a larger water lily for to use as a standalone decoration.

Paper Type & GSM

• For clean, crisp folds, use origami paper or lightweight paper around 60-80 GSM. Heavier paper may result in bulkier folds that don't lie flat.

Video Tutorial

Struggling with a tricky fold or want to see it done in real time?

You're not alone - that's why we created a full step-by-step video tutorial for this design inside The Fold Collective (an Easy Foldable Creations exclusive community).

We guide you through each fold at a pace that's easy to follow, so you can fold along with confidence and enjoy the process.

Joining gives you access to this video tutorial and a growing library of exclusive tutorials - all designed to inspire you, help you improve, and make folding even more fun.

The Fold Collective is more than just exclusive video tutorials and printable PDF patterns.

It's about building a thriving community of paper crafters from all over the world.

If you want to be part of something special, and gain access to a growing library of exclusive tutorials, join The Fold Collective and start folding today.

Prefer the step-by-step photo tutorial instead?

No problem - the full photo guide is waiting just below.

Instructions

Step 1: Start with the color you want your lily to be facing down.

Step 2: Fold the bottom left corner up to meet the top right corner.

Step 3: Unfold previous step.

Step 4: Fold the bottom right corner up to meet the top left corner.

Step 5: Unfold previous step.

Step 6: Fold the bottom left corner in to meet the middle point.

Step 7: Repeat previous step for the remaining corners.

Step 8: Once again, fold all the corners in to meet the middle point.

Step 9: Fold the top layer of each flap out, leaving a small gap from the edge.

Step 10: Flip your paper over from left to right. Arrange it so the outer square sits like a diamond.

Step 11: Fold the bottom left inner corner to meet the middle point. Crease along the centre and inside the 2 curved flaps.

Step 12: Repeat previous step for the remaining inner corners. It can help to crease inside the petals once they form.

Tips For Success

• Choose the right paper: For water lilies, thinner origami paper works best, as it allows the petals to fold delicately and creates a natural, flowing look. Avoid thick paper, which may make the petals appear stiff.
• Crisp creases are key: Use a ruler or a bone folder to ensure sharp folds, especially for the layered petals.
• Symmetry matters: Take your time to align folds perfectly, as uneven petals can affect the flower's overall appearance.

Common Mistakes & How To Avoid Them

Color, Paper Ideas, and Variations

• Easter: Use pastel shades like baby blue, soft pink, or lavender for festive table settings.
• Mother's Day: Opt for soft pinks, whites, or yellows, and pair them with green leaves for a complete bouquet.
• Christmas: Metallic or glittery paper in silver, gold, or deep red can create elegant holiday decorations.
• Spring Decor: Mix bright colors like orange, yellow, and fuchsia to mimic a blooming pond.

FAQ

Other Paper Crafts You Might Like To Try:

• Butterfly Origami
• Origami Masu Box
• Triangle Origami Corner Bookmark
• Origami Bunny
• Tissue Paper Flowers
• Easy Talking Origami Fish

Helpful Origami Tips

If you're curious to learn more about origami, you might like to look at our basic guides on how to make some common origami folds.

Start with the valley fold and mountain fold-these are the foundation of most origami models.

Once you're comfortable, you might like to try the petal fold for 3D shapes, and explore the bird base and square base for more complex designs.

The water bomb base is also great for creating inflatable or geometric models, like this inflatable origami rabbit.

Useful Paper Craft Terms

Want to learn a little more about paper crafts and origami?

We've made this helpful printable just for you. It explains common terms and helpful tips you might come across when you are folding origami or making a paper craft project.

You can download the useful paper craft terms printable PDF here.