Victoria water lily (Victoria amazonica)
Discover the giant Victoria amazonica water lily, famed for its massive floating leaves and dramatic night-blooming flowers in tropical settings.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Victoria water lily, scientifically known as Victoria amazonica, is arguably the most spectacular aquatic plant available to dedicated gardeners. It is renowned globally for producing colossal, platter-like leaves that can span up to six feet in diameter, creating an unparalleled focal point in any large water feature. This tropical perennial demands specific care but rewards the cultivator with truly monumental beauty.
Native to the quiet, shallow backwaters of the Amazon River basin, Victoria amazonica thrives only in heat and full sun. Cultivating this plant successfully involves meticulous temperature control, as it is only reliably perennial in USDA Zones 10-11 where water stays warm year-round. Gardeners outside these ranges often treat this magnificent giant water lily as a magnificent annual display.
Beyond its massive foliage, the Victoria amazonica offers nocturnal drama with large, fragrant flowers that open white at dusk and mature to shades of rose-purple over two or three nights. Its sheer scale and exotic appeal cement its status as a must-see specimen for serious water gardeners.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Nymphaeaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Amazon region
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-1 ft
- Spread: 4-6 ft
- Bloom Time: July to August
- Bloom Description: White to pink to rose-purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Wet
- Maintenance Level: High
How to Grow
Establishing the Victoria amazonica requires mimicking its tropical origins closely. In warm climates (Zones 10-11), plant the roots firmly anchored in an organically rich loam placed at the bottom of the pond or water body. For perennial survival, the water temperature must consistently remain above 75°F.
In most regions, this giant water lily is cultivated in containers, often treated as a high-impact annual. Plant seeds in pots immersed in water maintained between 85-90°F during late winter to start early. As the season warms, place containers in 1-3 feet of quiet water, ensuring the water is consistently at least 70°F before moving them outdoors in late spring.
Optimal growth and flowering for the Victoria amazonica depend heavily on heat; aim for water temperatures of 80°F or higher during the peak growing season. Avoid placing the plant where it is subjected to heavy wind or forceful splashing, as these conditions stress the huge leaves. Shallow pools (12-18 inches deep) often warm up fastest, aiding early season development. Containers must be brought indoors before the first frost for potential overwintering.
Landscape Uses
The presence of Victoria amazonica instantly transforms a pond or large water garden into a striking tropical feature. Due to its enormous spread (up to 6 feet), it is best suited for large, dedicated water installations, permanent ponds, or substantial artificial lagoons where its massive leaves won’t overwhelm smaller features. It functions perfectly as the central specimen plant in a water garden design.
While requiring isolation from delicate neighbors due to its size and high maintenance needs, it pairs well aesthetically with upright, marginal tropical bog plants that offer contrasting vertical accents, such as large papyrus or Canna lilies situated around the pond’s edge. It also works well as a dedicated feature in large, constructed rain gardens that can maintain consistent water levels.
As a water plant, the Victoria water lily serves as living architecture on the water’s surface. Its scale demands that the surrounding landscape remain relatively uncluttered to allow the immense leaves of the Victoria amazonica to dominate the view, creating a bold, architectural statement.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Victoria amazonica, commonly called Amazon water lily, royal water lily, giant water lily or Amazon water-platter, is native to quiet shallow waters in tropical South America, including, as the common name suggests, the backwaters of the Amazon River. It is a rhizomatous, floating-leaf, tender aquatic perennial that is noted for the huge size of its yellow-green leaves (4-6 feet in diameter) and its night-blooming (open at dusk and close by noon), pineapple-scented flowers (9-12 inches wide) that bloom in summer. Leaves are yellowish green above and coppery red beneath, with each leaf having a distinctive, continuous vertical edge (typically to 2-4” high). Flowers open white but turn pinkish to rose-purple on the second to third days as they age.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
This species is fortunately noted for having no serious insect or disease problems when cultural requirements are met. The primary threat to the health of the Victoria water lily is environmental, specifically incorrect water temperature. Ensure water temperatures stay consistently warm, ideally above 80°F during the growing season, to promote vigorous health and prevent stress that might invite secondary infections.
Avoid planting the Victoria amazonica in moving water or high-wind areas. Strong currents can damage the substantial leaf structure, and splashing water interferes with the specialized environment required for optimal night-time flower opening. If successfully grown indoors over winter, monitor for common greenhouse pests like aphids or scale on the leaves and stems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Victoria water lily suitable for?
The Victoria amazonica is winter hardy only in USDA Zones 10 and 11, where water temperatures remain reliably warm throughout the year.
How large does Victoria amazonica grow?
This magnificent plant achieves a height of 0.5 to 1 foot above the water surface, with the leaves spreading impressively across 4 to 6 feet of water area.
What sun exposure does Victoria amazonica need?
The giant water lily requires full sun exposure to thrive and produce its spectacular summer blooms.
When does Victoria water lily bloom?
Flowering typically occurs from July to August, with the flowers opening white at dusk and maturing to shades of white to pink to rose-purple by the following day.
Conclusion
The Victoria amazonica, or Victoria water lily, offers an unparalleled focal point for any large aquatic garden due to its immense leaves and regal night-blooming flowers. Successful cultivation relies heavily on providing consistent, high water temperatures and full sun exposure. Before attempting to grow this spectacular plant, verify that your climate or growing facilities can maintain the necessary tropical warmth for this high-maintenance beauty.
Companion Planting
For gardeners growing the Victoria amazonica in large ponds or outdoor tanks, selecting companions that share its high-heat, full-sun requirements is crucial. Consider grouping it with tropical Taro (Colocasia) varieties along the edges, provided their root systems do not interfere with the open water space needed by the giant lily pads. Tall, vertical growers like Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) offer a wonderful architectural contrast to the ground-hugging, broad leaves of the Victoria water lily.
When utilizing the container method for overwintering, ensure companion marginal plants that are brought indoors—such as miniature palms or shelter-loving rushes—are situated where they can receive adequate light in their temporary, protected locations. The key requirement for all neighbors remains consistent heat and placement where surface water flow is minimal.
Seasonal Care Calendar
For temperate climate gardeners treating Victoria amazonica as an annual, late winter is seed starting time. Plant seeds in containers and immerse them in water kept at 85-90°F; germination relies on this high temperature baseline. Begin preparing the outdoor water feature in early spring, ensuring the water reaches a consistent 70°F before plunging the newly potted containers into 1-3 feet of water in late spring.
Summer is the maintenance period, focused solely on heat conservation and admiring the blooms. The water temperature should be encouraged to hit 80°F or higher for the best flowering display of the Victoria water lily. In autumn, monitor daily temperatures; as soon as frost is imminent, containers should be carefully lifted, thoroughly dried, and moved into a protected greenhouse or indoor space for overwintering dormant rhizomes.
