Overview

Victoria amazonica is a plant with a floating habit in the genus Victoria, part of the Nymphaeaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Victoria amazonica grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1a. Suggested uses include water gardens and ponds. It is native to Amazonas.

About

Victoria amazonica is a floating waterlily in the family Nymphaeaceae, notable for its surface-forming habit. Native to the Amazonas, it flowers in the UK from July to September and carries deciduous foliage. It prefers full sun and a loam substrate of neutral pH kept moist but well drained, and suits sheltered, south-facing ponds. As a tender plant (H1a), it requires frost-free conditions over winter.

About the genus

Victoria or giant waterlily is a genus of aquatic herbs in the plant family Nymphaeaceae. The leaves are a remarkable size; Victoria boliviana produces leaves up to 3.2 metres (10 ft) in width. The genus name was given in honour of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.

Wikipedia contributors, "Victoria (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Victoria (plant)

In the garden

Victoria amazonica is a floating member of the Nymphaeaceae native to the Amazonas and known under several common names including Amazon waterlily and Queen Victoria water lily. Its foliage is deciduous and the species produces flowers in the UK from July to September. Use is principally in water gardens and ponds where a floating habit is required. For successful growth give full sun on a south-facing, sheltered aspect and a loam-based substrate with neutral pH. The planting medium should be kept moist but well drained; although the plant floats, the substrate beneath should not be allowed to become dry or strongly alkaline. Exposure should be sheltered to reduce wind disturbance of the floating leaves. Hardiness is H1a (tender), so plants will need frost-free protection through winter — typically kept under glass or moved to a frost-free environment until spring. Position Victoria amazonica where it can receive uninterrupted sunlight in summer so its floating foliage can develop and the plant can flower between July and September.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Victoria

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H1a

Plant details

Victoria amazonica size, habit and characteristics

Habit

Floating

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Water gardens, ponds

Native to

Amazonas

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Victoria amazonica

Propagation

Seed

Pest resistance

Susceptible to aphids, snails, caterpillars

Disease resistance

Susceptible to clematis wilt, clematis slime flux

Frequently asked questions