Santa Cruz water lily Victoria cruziana
Santa Cruz water lily (Victoria cruziana) is an annual flowering plant in the Nymphaeaceae family, native to Paraná and Paraguay river basins (Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina). It grows 10–25 cm (4–10 in) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 8 °C (46 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Santa Cruz water lily in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Santa Cruz water lily at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Nymphaeaceae |
| Mature height | 10–25 cm (4–10 in) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 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 8 °C (46 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 13–21 weeks after planting, for 10–17 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 150 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Paraná and Paraguay river basins (Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Santa Cruz water lily toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Not known to be toxic; pads are spiny underneath.
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 Santa Cruz water lily
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Santa Cruz water lily in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Missouri Botanical Garden (2 plants)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (1 plants)
Questions about Santa Cruz water lily
- How far apart should I plant Santa Cruz water lily?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Santa Cruz water lily need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Santa Cruz water lily need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Santa Cruz water lily?
- It tolerates about 8 °C (46 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Santa Cruz water lily flower?
- About 13–21 weeks after planting, for 10–17 weeks.
- Is Santa Cruz 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. Not known to be toxic; pads are spiny underneath.
- What grows well with Santa Cruz water lily?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Santa Cruz 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).
- Water lily and lotus registry and cultivation notes, International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
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.
- Tolerates cooler water than V. amazonica, with a taller rim, so it is the one grown outdoors in summer pools of temperate gardens (as at Longwood).
- Grown as an annual from seed in temperate gardens.
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
- Giant Amazon water lily Victoria amazonica
- Yellow pond lily (brandy bottle) Nuphar lutea
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus