Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Rhododendron spp.
Ericaceae · shrubs
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Azalea (Zones 5-9)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–9
| Feature | Azalea | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhododendron spp. | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Ericaceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | shrubs | aquatic |
| Sun | ⛅ Part Shade | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Rich, Acidic, Well-drained | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 8' | 6" |
| Spread | 6' | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Spring | Summer |
| Bloom Color | Pink, Red, White, Purple | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Medium | Medium |
| Native Region | Asia, North America | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Azalea
Water Lily
Azalea
Water Lily
Choose Azalea if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.
Choose Water Lily if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with aquatic water in zones 3–11.
Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
Explore More Data Tools
For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.