Waterlily House

Sited just by the Palm House, this is another of Kew's classic listed buildings, again with ironwork by Richard Turner. Built in 1852, it was then the widest single span glasshouse in the world, designed specifically to house the huge attraction of the age, the giant Amazonian waterlily. Sadly, the huge plant never did well and in 1866, the house was converted into an Economic Plant House for medicinal and culinary plants.

In 1991, it was converted back to its original use and today, it is the hottest and most humid environment at Kew, housing tropical ornamental aquatic plants and climbers.

Plant profile: giant waterlilies

You can also see waterlilies at Kew in the Princess of Wales Conservatory and Aquatic Garden

In summer, the Nymphaea waterlilies and a giant Victoria cruziana put on a beautiful and serene display. Sacred lotus and papyrus both thrive in these hot, humid conditions and high up, there are some spectacular gourds - fruits of some members of the cucumber family - such as hedgehog and wax gourds, and the loofah, the 'vegetable sponge'. In the beds, there are economically important plants such as rice, taro, bananas, manioc, sugar cane and lemon grass.

Please note: the Waterlily House closes in November, re-opening in April

Continue the tour

Back up to: Palm House Zone

Carry on to: Rose Garden

See also

Kew's History & Heritage: Waterlily House