Phipps Stories
Waterlily Weigh-Off in Wonderland
Phipps Victoria Room has been home to Wonderful Water Lilies all summer long. Read on to learn about how strong these specimens can be when put to the test!
Started by Denver Botanic Gardens in 2023, The Waterlily Weigh-Off evaluates which garden’s waterlily can support the most amount of weight before sinking. Alongside public gardens, the competition is open to zoos and home-growers and nurseries. The 2026 Weigh-Off took place across social media August 17-28 with the winner being announced on the 28th.
To enter, participants must try to grow the biggest and strongest Victoria waterlily, see how much weight it can hold, and then post the results on social media. Since its inception, the contest has only gotten larger and more intense! In 2023, the winning weight of 96 pounds came from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Last year the winning weight from Bok Tower Gardens was a whopping 183 pounds!
The 2026 Weigh-Off expected over 50 participants that represented eight countries. Among these competitors was Phipps! The horticulture team managed to grow a waterlily with a diameter of 53.5 inches. During the weigh-off, dumbbells were placed onto the waterlily to measure what amount it could hold. The grand total was 163 pounds!
On August 28, Bok Tower Gardens was announced as the winner with their waterlily holding 285.7 pounds. Although Phipps Horticulture did not come out victorious this year, they are very proud of their accomplishment and ready to re-strategize for next year!
For Phipps waterlily video content:
