Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Hemerocallis spp.
Asparagaceae · flowers
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Daylily (Zones 3-10)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–10
| Feature | Daylily | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hemerocallis spp. | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Asparagaceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | flowers | aquatic |
| Sun | ☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Adaptable | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 3' | 6" |
| Spread | 2' | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Summer | Summer |
| Bloom Color | Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Medium |
| Native Region | East Asia | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Daylily
Water Lily
Daylily
Water Lily
Choose Daylily if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–10.
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 3–10. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
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