Giant Amazon water lily Victoria amazonica
Giant Amazon water lily (Victoria amazonica) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Nymphaeaceae family, native to Amazon basin (oxbow lakes and backwaters of the Amazon floodplain). It grows 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 15 °C (59 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
Plan Giant Amazon water lily in your garden →
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Giant Amazon water lily at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Nymphaeaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 15 °C (59 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 13–29 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: seeds ("water maize", roasted) |
| Native to | Amazon basin (oxbow lakes and backwaters of the Amazon floodplain) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Is Giant Amazon water lily toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Seeds are eaten in Amazonia; the pads and stalks are densely spiny.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Giant Amazon water lily
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Giant Amazon water lily in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (2 plants)
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (7 plants)
Questions about Giant Amazon water lily
- How far apart should I plant Giant Amazon water lily?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Giant Amazon water lily need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Giant Amazon water lily need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Giant Amazon water lily?
- It tolerates about 15 °C (59 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Giant Amazon water lily flower?
- From about April for 13–29 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Giant Amazon water lily poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. Seeds are eaten in Amazonia; the pads and stalks are densely spiny.
- What grows well with Giant Amazon water lily?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Giant Amazon water lily. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Kew Gardens: Palm House, Temperate House, Rock Garden and Mediterranean Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Water lily and lotus registry and cultivation notes, International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society
Notes and assumptions
- Grown in a pond: rhizome or tuber in a basket of heavy loam at the stated depth; needs full sun and still water.
- Pads up to 2.5–3 m across with an up-turned rim and spiny red undersides; flowers open white the first night, turn pink the second, then sink.
- Needs water at 28–32 °C: grown outdoors only in the tropics, otherwise in a heated lily house (Kew's Waterlily House was built for it in 1852).
- Often grown as an annual from seed each year.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- European white water lily Nymphaea alba
- Hardy water lily (Marliac hybrids) Nymphaea × marliacea
- Fragrant water lily Nymphaea odorata
- Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt) Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea
- White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus) Nymphaea lotus
- Santa Cruz water lily Victoria cruziana
- Yellow pond lily (brandy bottle) Nuphar lutea
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus