Victoria Amazonica
Victoria amazonica (Poepp.) J.C. Sowerby
Victoria amazonica is the iconic giant water lily of the Amazon River basin, producing the largest floating leaves of any aquatic plant on Earth -- up to 10 feet in diameter -- and dramatic, pineapple-scented flowers that open white and transform to rose-pink. Named to honor Queen Victoria, it is a living wonder revered for its beauty, strength, and cultural significance across South America and beyond.
Nymphaeaceae (Water Lily family)
Summer through early autumn; flowers are nocturnal -- opening at dusk on the first night as white, closing by noon the next day, then reopening on the second evening as rose-pink before closing permanently
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: white globe thistles and anemopsiss also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Few plants on Earth carry as much cultural and historical weight as Victoria amazonica. Among the Tupi people of Brazil, the giant water lily was regarded with reverence -- a Tupi legend tells of a young girl who fell in love with the moon and, leaning over water to embrace its reflection, was transformed by a goddess into the most beautiful flower of the giant waterlily. The plant was first formally described in 1837 and named Victoria amazonica by botanist John Lindley to honor the newly ascended Queen Victoria of England, who received one of the first flowers raised in Britain as a royal gift. Its enormous ribbed leaves famously inspired Joseph Paxton, head gardener at Chatsworth House, to design the structural ironwork of the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition of 1851. The flower appears on the coat of arms of Guyana, where it grows in abundance, symbolizing the country's natural wealth and pride. Indigenous communities across the Amazon, including the Quechua-speaking descendants of the Inca Empire, call it Atun Sisac, meaning Great Flower.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun; requires maximum direct sunlight for vigorous leaf and flower production
Water
Requires warm, still, shallow water (1-3 feet deep) at a minimum of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius); water temperature of at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season for best flowering; no water currents or splashing
Soil
Rich loamy, Organically rich, Heavy aquatic soil or loam at the bottom of the water body
Expert Growing Tips
Plant in a large pot (at least 200 gallons / 750 liters) filled with loamy soil and organically rich fertilizer, placed in 1-3 feet of warm, still water
Fertilize heavily throughout the growing season -- Victoria is a nutrient-demanding plant; use slow-release aquatic fertilizer tablets inserted into the soil weekly
Water temperature must remain consistently above 70 degrees Fahrenheit; below this, growth stalls and plants decline
Avoid any water movement, fountains, or splashing near the plant
Seeds must be stored moist and started in heated water under grow lamps at 28-30 degrees Celsius; germination takes several weeks
In temperate climates, grow as an annual -- start fresh from seed each year or obtain young plants from specialist nurseries in spring
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Showpiece specimen in large heated outdoor pools and water gardens in tropical and subtropical climates
- Star display plant in botanical garden glasshouses and conservatories worldwide
- Grown as a dramatic annual in large container pools in temperate climates
- Symbol of natural wonder in Amazon River cruise and ecotourism experiences
- Architectural inspiration -- the structural ribbing of the leaf underside inspired Joseph Paxton's design for the Crystal Palace in 1851
Traditional Uses
- Seeds, rhizomes, and stems of Victoria amazonica are edible and have been consumed by indigenous Amazonian communities as a food source
- Indigenous groups in the Amazon have used the plant in traditional practices; the Tupi people considered the flowers sacred objects of beauty and attributed spiritual significance to the plant
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Victoria Amazonica
What does Victoria amazonica symbolize?
Victoria amazonica symbolizes beauty, purity, strength, and spiritual wonder. Among the indigenous Tupi people of Brazil, it was revered as a sacred flower born from legend. Across South America it represents the magnificent power and richness of the Amazon. In Guyana, it appears on the national coat of arms as a symbol of natural heritage and national pride. Water lilies more broadly symbolize purity and enlightenment in Buddhist and Hindu traditions.
Why is Victoria amazonica called the giant water lily?
Victoria amazonica earns its name from the extraordinary size of its floating leaves, which can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter -- the largest leaves of any aquatic plant on Earth. These immense pads are so structurally strong, with a ribbed underside resembling a metal framework, that they can support the weight of a small child. The plant was named in honor of Queen Victoria of England in 1837.
Why does the Victoria amazonica flower change color?
Victoria amazonica flowers open white on their first night to attract scarab beetles as pollinators. The flower heats up thermochemically, producing a fruity fragrance to draw beetles in. After trapping the beetles overnight, the flower releases them on the second evening as it turns rose-pink, by which time it has released pollen onto the beetles that they carry to a new white flower. The color change signals to beetles that the flower is no longer offering a reward, directing them toward fresh white blooms.
Can Victoria amazonica be grown at home?
Yes, but it requires significant space and specific conditions. You need a large pond or container pool (at least 200 gallons), warm still water maintained above 70 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the growing season, full sun, and heavy fertilization. In temperate climates it is grown as a warm-season annual, started fresh from seed each year. The hybrid variety Victoria Longwood Hybrid is more tolerant of cooler temperatures and is often recommended for cultivation outside of tropical climates.
How did Victoria amazonica inspire the Crystal Palace design?
In 1849, Joseph Paxton, head gardener at Chatsworth House in England, succeeded in flowering a Victoria amazonica plant and was struck by the extraordinary structural strength of the leaf. He observed that the ribbed girder-like pattern on the underside of the leaf -- which allows a thin surface to support enormous weight -- could be applied to architecture. Paxton used this principle of nature-inspired engineering to design the iron and glass framework of the Crystal Palace, built for the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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