Science & Nature
Water Lilies Flex Their Muscles in Global Botanic Garden Weigh-Off Challenge. How Do Chicago’s Contestants Stack Up?
Giant water lily plants, native to the tropics, can grow up to a diameter of 10 feet and hold the weight of an adult. (Dreamnordno / iStock)
Water lilies are more than just a pretty face. They’re buff.
With the annual Waterlily Weigh-Off now underway, the plants are flexing their muscles.
This goofy contest, dreamed up by the Denver Botanic Garden in 2023, has more than 40 competitors from eight countries, all vying to see whose lily pad — specifically, species of Victoria water lily — can hold the most weight.
Though it’s billed as an “opportunity to educate the public about the fascinating world of aquatic plants,” the weigh-off also plays like a fringe comedy fest, with horticulturalists showing off some serious improv chops in their video submissions.
We gathered some notable contenders here. The winner will be announced Aug. 28.
Denver Botanic Garden kicked off the challenge with a strong 50-pound entry, while also demonstrating proper use of a PPD — plant protection device — to evenly distribute weight across the pad.
The Missouri Botanical Garden took home the 2024 trophy with a 142.1-pound entry. It’s looking like the favorite again this year, with staff piling a whopping 182 pounds onto a single pad. Jack could’ve fit on that door, just saying.
New York Botanical Garden, a top contender last year, took a mad scientist approach in its bid to move up in the rankings. Did it pay off?
Chicago Botanic Garden is repping the hometown. So naturally it had to answer a very important question: Can its lily pad hold a deep-dish pizza?
Morton Arboretum isn’t in the main competition because it doesn’t have any Victoria water lilies, but the arboretum still wanted in on the fun. Its native Nymphaea odorata may be small, but as a team, they’re mighty.
Special shout out to Toledo Zoo, which won the People’s Choice Award in 2024 and put in the work to out-wacky itself this year.
Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]
