Victoria cruziana (Santa Cruz Waterlily): Giant Floating Pads and Pineapple-Scented Blooms

Overview

Santa Cruz waterlily (Victoria cruziana) produces massive floating lily pads up to 8 feet across—sturdy enough to support a small adult. Undersides are reddish-purple and softly hairy. Ephemeral, pineapple-scented blooms last two nights: white the first night, pink the second. 16-inch flowers. A true aquatic spectacle.

Growing Conditions

Full sun only. Rich, loamy soil in containers 3+ feet across and 2+ feet deep, or pools 3+ feet deep. Needs 100+ sq ft water surface. Lots of heat and sun. Fertilize every 2 weeks during growing season.

Care and Maintenance

Start indoors early for first-year flowers. Root-prune to restrict size in small containers. Pot up and fertilize regularly for large growth. Overwinter in frost-free conditions.

Common Problems

Infrequent. Requires ample space, heat, and nutrition.

Landscape Uses

• Water gardens (large)
• Specimen plant/focal point
• Container water features
• Conservatories and greenhouses

Key Features

• Pads up to 8 feet across
• Supports weight of small adult
• Pineapple-scented, color-changing blooms
• Reddish-purple hairy undersides
• Fast-growing, spreads 15-30 feet
• Tropical, annual in cold climates