Victoria 'Longwood Hybrid'

The Victoria 'Longwood Hybrid' is a giant waterlily, a hybrid between two species of the Victoria genus (V. amazonica and V. cruziana), and, while a herbaceous perennial, is grown as an annual in North Carolina. Plants will remain perennial as long as water temperatures remain at least 75 degrees F. It is nonviviparous (meaning that it does not germinate while attached to the parent plant) and must be germinated from seed each year. It is free-flowering and withstands wind and cool water temperatures better than others of the Victoria species.  It is not available on the commercial market, but it can be found in a number of botanical gardens.

The plant, named for Queen Victoria and bred by Longwood Gardens, grows best in shallow, quiet waters such as the backwaters of large river systems, 1 to 3 feet deep, in full sun. In tropical areas, plant roots are best anchored in organically rich loams at the bottom of the water body although it will tolerate clay. This species may be grown from seed by planting seed in a pot immersed in water of at least 80 degrees F in late winter. The plant can be transplanted outdoors in late spring or early summer, once the water temperature is consistently in the low 70 degrees F. There should be about 20 feet separating multiple plants and, as the plant grows, you should remove any old leaves. Avoid splashing water, water currents and/or heavy winds.

The plant is famous for its enormous, platter-like leaves, which can grow 4 to 6 feet in diameter and are supported by large spongy veins. The leaves have upturned edges and the leaf underside (and stem) are covered in sharp spines, as a possible defense against herbivores such as fish and manatees. Each leaf can get up to 6 ft in diameter, the whole plant spanning as wide as 20 ft total.  Its hybrid vigor gives it deeper green leaves and a taller leaf margin.

The large flowers are night-blooming and open for 2 to 3 days. On the first day, it opens white and emits a sweet pineapple scent and on the second day, it reopens pink. Once a plant matures and begins to flower, it typically will produce additional flowers until the end of the season.  It produces larger, more numerous flowers than non-hybrid species.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:  The plant is susceptible to aphids and false leaf-mining midges.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.