Victoria amazonica

Victoria amazonica is native to the shallow, warm lakes and oxbows of the Amazon basin in South America, where it grows in nutrient-rich, warm, still water with full sun exposure. It produces the largest floating leaves of any plant in the world — circular pads up to 2–3 metres in diameter with strongly upturned rims reinforced underneath by a magnificent network of radial and concentric ribs that can support the weight of a child. The upper surface is dark green, the underside vivid purple-red and heavily spined.

The flowers are among the most dramatic in the plant kingdom — enormous white blooms with a diameter of 30–40 cm that open for two nights only, producing intense pineapple-like fragrance on the first night to attract beetle pollinators, then turning deep pink on the second night as they close for the last time. The plant is grown in botanic gardens worldwide and is a symbol of tropical aquatic botanical splendour.

For private cultivation, Victoria amazonica demands extraordinary resources — a very large, deep, heated pond or conservatory pool, extremely rich substrate, and consistently warm tropical conditions. It is an annual under most cultivation conditions and requires fresh seed each season.

Light: Full tropical sun — 10+ hours daily essential; will not develop properly under insufficient light. CO2: Not applicable. Fertilisation: Exceptionally rich growing medium — up to 50 L of enriched aquatic compost per plant; heavy regular feeding. Placement: Very large heated pond or conservatory pool; minimum 5,000 L; water 25–32°C. Propagation: Annual from fresh seed; germinate at 28–30°C in darkness; prick out when first floating leaf appears.