Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Platycodon grandiflorus
Campanulaceae · flowers
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Balloon Flower (Zones 3-8)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8
| Feature | Balloon Flower | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Platycodon grandiflorus | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Campanulaceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | flowers | aquatic |
| Sun | ☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Well-drained | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 2' | 6" |
| Spread | 1' | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Summer | Summer |
| Bloom Color | Blue, White, Pink | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Medium | Medium |
| Native Region | East Asia | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Balloon Flower
Water Lily
Balloon Flower
Water Lily
Choose Balloon Flower if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.
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 3–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
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