Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Asclepias tuberosa
Apocynaceae · flowers
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Butterfly Weed (Zones 3-9)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9
| Feature | Butterfly Weed | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Asclepias tuberosa | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Apocynaceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | flowers | aquatic |
| Sun | ☀️ Full Sun | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧 Low | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Well-drained, Sandy | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 2' 6" | 6" |
| Spread | 1' 6" | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Summer | Summer |
| Bloom Color | Orange | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Medium | Medium |
| Native Region | Eastern North America | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Butterfly Weed
Water Lily
Butterfly Weed
Water Lily
Choose Butterfly Weed if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 3–9.
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 3–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.
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