All flowers
Giant Water Lily Wikimedia Commons
Nymphaeaceae

Giant Water Lily

Victoria amazonica

Strength beneath beauty.

Family
Nymphaeaceae
Genus
Victoria
Native to
South America
Bloom season
Summer
Type
Aquatic perennial
Height
15-30 cm above water
Sunlight
Full sun
Soil
Rich aquatic substrate
Water
Aquatic
Hardiness
10-12
Lifespan
Perennial

Did you know

  • The leaves can grow up to 3 meters across and support the weight of a small child.
  • The flowers open white the first night and turn pink the second night to attract different pollinators.
  • The underside of each leaf has sharp spines to protect it from being eaten by fish.
  • Joseph Paxton's Crystal Palace design for the 1851 Great Exhibition was inspired by the leaf's ribbed structure.
  • The flowers emit a strong pineapple-like fragrance to attract scarab beetles for pollination.

Color meanings

0

Purity

1

Hidden strength

2

Grandeur

Uses

  • Ornamental
  • Botanical gardens
  • Water features