The Largest Water Lily in the World Is the Size of Two King-Sized Beds

Hollywood has historically created larger-than-life, lush, spectacular wilderness scenes to delight viewer senses. These often get set in a jungle world with spectacular foliage that defies logic. But what if we told you those scenes may not be so farfetched after all? Scientists are constantly discovering new species of plants and animals, many hidden in the depths of real-world jungles and forests. One recently discovered plant even set a new record – as the world’s largest water lily! 

How big do Giant Water Lilies Get?

The largest previously known water lily species is Victoria cruziana, which belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family. They can reach 7 feet 10.5 inches (2.4 meters) at maturity. These local tribes love these behemoths since they provide food and medicine. There was also a second, well-known species – V. amazonica. Though slightly smaller, they still top out at 7 feet 6.5 inches (2.3 meters).

After decades of research into some of the largest water lily pads, it turns out there is a third distinct species – V. boliviana. These far surpass the size of their cousins, often reaching up to 9 feet 10 inches (3 meters) in diameter. But that’s not the only spectacular feature they boast. The flowers of this Bolivian native each grow up to 1 foot 2 inches (36 centimeters) wide when open. 

How Big is the World’s Largest Water Lily?

The staggering size of V. boliviana is impressive enough. However, these stunning water-based plants don’t stop there. There is one specific plant that decided to keep growing. According to Guinness World Records, “The prodigious pad had an off-the-charts diameter of 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in), increasing to 3.37 m (11 ft) if the upturned edge was flattened. It had an approximate surface area of 7.55 m2 (81.3 sq ft), about the same as two king-size beds.”

It lived at La Rinconada Gardens, an eco-park in Bolivia. This amazing plant also holds the record for being the largest documented undivided leaf. Since waterlilies are not known for longevity, horticulturalists at the eco-park decided to preserve this giant using a plaster cast. 

How Many Water Lily Species Are There?

What we know as water lilies are a group of freshwater flowering plants belonging to the Nymphaeaceae (waterlily) family. They all have floating leaves and submerged rhizomes. Due to their aquatic nature, it is not a particularly large family. There are only approximately 90 species belonging to 8 genera globally. 

These species vary drastically in size. While we just explored how big the largest water lily is, not all grow to that impressive size. Nymphaea thermarum is native to Rwanda, and its leaves only grow to .39 inches (1 centimeter) in diameter. It is officially considered extinct in the wild. However, researchers at the Royal Botanical Gardens in London have successfully grown new plants, saving this rare beauty.