Plant Library

Other Names:  Giant Waterlily, syn. Victoria regia

Description:

Tropical water lily with flowers that emerge white, then develop deep pink streaks; amazingly large round green leaves with upturned edges float on waters surface for a great visual display; water lilies dislike moving water; annual in colder climates

Ornamental Features

Giant Water Lily features showy fragrant white cup-shaped flowers with hot pink overtones at the ends of the stems from early summer to late fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive enormous glossy round leaves emerge burgundy in spring, turning dark green in color with distinctive pink edges and tinges of burgundy the rest of the year.

Landscape Attributes

Giant Water Lily is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a low habit of growth, spreading atop the surface of the water. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Giant Water Lily is ideally suited for growing in a pond, water garden or patio water container, and is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Water Gardens
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
• Container Planting
• Bog Gardens

Planting & Growing

Giant Water Lily will grow to be only 4 inches tall at maturity extending to 6 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 10 feet. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the water. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. As an aquatic plant, it requires a suitable water garden environment and will benefit from special planting and ongoing care practices; consult one of our in-store experts for further details and instructions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

Giant Water Lily is a fine choice for the water garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when grown in outdoor pots and containers, aquatic plants like this one will require a special growing environment that meets their requirement for consistent moisture.