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Victoria cruziana

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
vic-TOR-ee-uh kroo-zee-AY-nuh
Description

Santa Cruz Waterlily is one of two species in this genus and is non-viviparous, meaning that the seeds do not develop before they detach from the parent plant.  This night blooming specimen has a wide spread of 15-18 ft. The lily pads are up to 6.5 feet wide and the large blooms are fragrant and many. It requires shallow, quiet water such as the backwaters of large river systems. Grow as an annual in NC without winter protection. It requires a large water garden.

The seeds from this plant require that they be kept in water.  Allowing them to dry out is a sure death of the seed.  Each plant requires approximately 40 inches of water to perform at its best.

Only opening for two consecutive nights, the pineapple like scented flower will be white during the first night, and a purple-red the second night.  The flowers are considered to be thermogenic, in that they create their own heat while they are budding,  That allows the plant to more efficiently release its fragrance to surrounding beetles once opened.   As the flower opens, it will rise above the water surface.  After opening, the flower will slip below the water surface.  Each flower has several whorls of petals and stamens that are arranged in a spiral.  A typical plant can have as many as 50 flowers each summer.

The leaves are red-purple in color with soft hairs on the underside.  The pad is a bright green with a tall rim.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No known issues.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#water garden#fragrant flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#large leaves#large flowers#waterlily#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#water garden#fragrant flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#large leaves#large flowers#waterlily#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Victoria
    Species:
    cruziana
    Family:
    Nymphaeaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South America
    Wildlife Value:
    Cross pollinated by beetles.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Fragrance
    Textural
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Water Plant
    Habit/Form:
    Horizontal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Prickles
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Large, prickly, berry-like fruits. Seeds are numerous, up to .4 inches in diameter.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    more than 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Up to 12 inch wide creamy white flowers become pink on the second day. They are strongly fragrant, night-blooming and very free flowering.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Orbicular
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Bright green lily pads up to 6.5 feet wide, with thick upturned leaf margins that form a rim up to 7 inches high. Undersides may be reddish. Sharp spines cover the underneath of leaves and stems.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems have prickles.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Pool/Hardscape
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Specimen