Abstract: This paper analyzes the development of aquatic flowers in Yunnan from three aspects: resources, related research and industry. The variety resources and their fine characteristics of Yunnan lotus are summarized. And the related researches on lotus in Yunnan are analyzed, which indicate that there is abundant genetic diversity in the same variety or the same type. The industries of lotus in Yunnan are mainly sightseeing, rhizome lotus and its starch. It points out that Yunnan is not only one of the five major distribution centers of wild lilies in China, but also the only area in China where the wild hardy water lilies and wild tropical water lilies both distribute. The industries of the water lilies in Yunnan are sightseeing, aromatic water liles, cut flower and seedlings. And Yunnan still has many distinctive aquatic flower resources to be exploited and utilized. Finally, some suggestions are put forward, such as collecting aquatic flower resources in Yunnan, cultivating new varieties with special characteristics, solving industrial bottleneck problems based on applied research and developing unique new products of aquatic flowers.