Lotus Blossom & Water Lily

Lotus Blossom & Water Lily, inspired by Jo Malone London Lotus Blossom & Water Lily Cologne (2008)

Mandarin, bergamot and grapefruit give the start a clear citrus glint, with an aquatic accord making it feel cool and wet. The flowers are pale rather than heady: lotus and water lily, with jasmine, honeysuckle and freesia adding a mild sweetness. Lower down, bamboo keeps a green, hollow freshness while guaiac wood, oud and olibanum (frankincense) bring a lightly smoky warmth. The contrast between pond-like florals and that resinous base is what sets it apart.

About the original

Lotus Blossom & Water Lily launched in 2008 in Jo Malone London's Kohdo Wood collection and was said to layer well with Dark Amber & Ginger Lily. Two blogs describe Kohdo Wood as a limited edition, though we have not found launch press confirming it. It is no longer listed by the brand. It is a different fragrance from the 2020 Waterlily Cologne and from the current Fig & Lotus Flower.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Jo Malone London stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Fresh-floral wearers who find most aquatics too thin may like the woody, incense-tinged base here. The sweetness is mild. That smoky undertone, faint as it is, may not appeal to buyers wanting a purely clean, watery scent.

Related scents

• Jo Malone London Dark Amber & Ginger Lily Cologne Intense

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Bergamot, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Aquatic Accord

Heart notes: Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Freesia, Lotus, Water Lily

Base notes: Bamboo, Guaiac Wood, Sandalwood, Oud, Olibanum, Amber

Citrus and water open it: bergamot, mandarin and grapefruit over a cool aquatic accord.

Lotus and water lily form the heart, supported by jasmine, honeysuckle and freesia.

Bamboo, guaiac wood and sandalwood lead the base, with oud, olibanum and amber giving a resinous, slightly smoky finish.

Is this the same as Jo Malone Waterlily Cologne?

No. Waterlily is a 2020 cologne built on neroli, waterlily and white musk. This page is the 2008 Kohdo Wood scent with lotus, jasmine and a woody, incense base.

Is Lotus Blossom & Water Lily discontinued?

It has been absent from both the current colognes and the archive collection on Jo Malone London's sites, so it appears to have been withdrawn.

Is it smoky?

Only lightly. Guaiac wood, oud and olibanum add a gentle smoky warmth beneath the florals.

Is Jo Malone London Lotus Blossom & Water Lily coming back?

So far, we have found no announcement from Jo Malone London that it will return. Our version is an eau de parfum in 50 ml or 100 ml.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Jo Malone and Lotus Blossom & Water Lily are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Jo Malone in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.