Victoria amazonica is a tropical water lily of almost mythical proportions, native to the shallow backwaters of the Amazon River. Its yellow-green leaves grow to an astonishing 4-6 feet in diameter, creating floating platforms so sturdy they've inspired botanical legend. Night-blooming flowers, 9-12 inches wide and fragrant with a pineapple scent, open at dusk and close by noon, appearing in July and August. Hardy only in zones 10-11, this rhizomatous aquatic perennial demands warm water (at least 75°F) and full sun to thrive, making it a showstopper for tropical water gardens or a challenging annual in cooler climates.
Full Sun
Moderate
10-11
12in H x 72in W
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Moderate
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The Victoria amazonica stops people in their tracks. Those enormous leaves, capable of supporting substantial weight, float on still water like living lily pads from a fairy tale, while the night-blooming flowers emit a pineapple fragrance that's both unexpected and intoxicating. Growing this giant requires commitment: full sun, warm temperatures, organically rich soil at the water's bottom, and still water conditions are non-negotiable. In tropical zones 10-11, it can persist as a true perennial; elsewhere, most gardeners treat it as an annual spectacle worth the extra effort. No serious insect or disease problems plague this botanical marvel, though keeping it happy demands the right environment.
The Victoria amazonica serves as a water plant and rain garden specimen, valued almost entirely for its visual spectacle rather than any utilitarian purpose. It functions as an annual ornamental in cooler climates and a perennial water feature in tropical regions. Gardeners cultivate it in containers within controlled water bodies or in ponds and pools where its enormous floating leaves and night-blooming flowers become the focal point of the landscape.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
In tropical zones 10-11, plant roots in organically rich loam at the bottom of your water body, anchoring them firmly. In cooler climates, grow in containers and move indoors before first frost. Position in full sun in 1-3 feet of still, quiet water.
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“Victoria amazonica earned its royal common name for good reason. Native to the Amazon River basin in tropical South America, this species has captivated botanists and gardeners since its discovery in the region's quiet shallow waters. Its extraordinary leaf size and night-blooming habit made it a prized specimen in Victorian-era conservatories and water gardens, where wealthy collectors would construct elaborate heated pools to grow this botanical treasure. The plant's journey from Amazonian waters to gardens worldwide reflects centuries of horticultural fascination with the tropical and the extraordinary.”