A Missouri Botanical Gardens Victoria lily held up under 142 pounds, besting competitors from gardens and zoos around the world. The St. Louis institution has been growing water lilies since 1894.

MoBOT credits its super-strong lily pads mainly to Missouri's climate, 2024's long and hot summer and the garden's heated water lily pool.

The Naples Botanical Garden's water lily in Florida came second with a lift of 135 pounds and the Royal Botanic Garden's water lily in Edinburgh, Scottland, came third with a lift of 105.8 pounds.

Inspired Life Missouri water lily holds 142 pounds of sandbags, wins worldwide contest “They really look like they’re from an alien planet,” said Greta Berg, a horticulturist at the Missouri ...

The Missouri Botanical Garden is considered one of the top botanical gardens in the country. The first time I visited I understood why. It was spring and there was a colorful blanket of tulips ...