Giant Waterlilies

Introduction

Kew Gardens has a Waterlily House built specially to grow waterlilies. We originally went in early spring to find the Waterlily House still closed while their circular pond was being prepared.

Now in summer during a heatwave, the indoor climate was perfect for the waterlilies.

You step inside and not only does the heat hit you, but the humidity too, reminding you of the tropical climate these giant plants grow in. The relative humidity is 75%, so really draining to be in for us humans.

These waterlilies can be staggering in size. To get an idea of scale, you can just make out in the top right-hand corner of the main picture that there’s someone shown to waist height standing in a pair of black trousers (pants) and green top.

Believe it or not, these waterlilies are the smallest of the three giant-sized waterlilies in the world.

Santa Cruz Waterlily

The waterlilies in the picture are the Santa Cruz waterlily, Victoria cruziana, which are grown from seed every year. They can bear cooler temperatures when it’s not hot outside. The ideal temperature for the water, heated by hot water pipes encircling the pond, is 28°C (82.4°F).