Fountain Grass vs Water Lily

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Poaceae · grasses

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Water Lily

Nymphaea spp.

Nymphaeaceae · aquatic

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Fountain Grass (Zones 5-9)

Water Lily (Zones 3-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Fountain Grass	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Pennisetum alopecuroides	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Poaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	grasses	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Well-drained	Pond/Water garden
Height	4'	6"
Spread	3'	4'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Pink, Tan	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia, Australia	Worldwide
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Fountain Grass

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Water Lily

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Fountain Grass

✓Cut back to 6 inches in late winter before new growth.
✓Divide every 3-4 years.
✓Leave seed heads for winter interest.
✓Drought tolerant once established.

Water Lily

✓Plant in containers submerged 12-18 inches deep.
✓Needs 6+ hours of direct sun.
✓Fertilize monthly during growing season.
✓Divide when crowded.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Fountain Grass if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun 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. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Fountain GrassProfile →View Water LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fountain Grass and Water Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Fountain Grass grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Water Lily grows in zones 3-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do Fountain Grass and Water Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Fountain Grass needs full sun and medium water, while Water Lily needs full sun and aquatic water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Fountain Grass or Water Lily?

Fountain Grass grows taller at 4' compared to Water Lily at 6". Fountain Grass spreads 3' while Water Lily spreads 4'.

Are Fountain Grass and Water Lily deer resistant?

Yes, both Fountain Grass and Water Lily are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Fountain Grass or Water Lily?

Fountain Grass has low maintenance while Water Lily has medium maintenance. Fountain Grass may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Fountain Grass	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Pennisetum alopecuroides	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Poaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	grasses	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Well-drained	Pond/Water garden
Height	4'	6"
Spread	3'	4'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Pink, Tan	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia, Australia	Worldwide
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

Fountain Grass

✓Cut back to 6 inches in late winter before new growth.
✓Divide every 3-4 years.
✓Leave seed heads for winter interest.
✓Drought tolerant once established.

Water Lily

✓Plant in containers submerged 12-18 inches deep.
✓Needs 6+ hours of direct sun.
✓Fertilize monthly during growing season.
✓Divide when crowded.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Fountain Grass if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun 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. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fountain Grass and Water Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Fountain Grass grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Water Lily grows in zones 3-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do Fountain Grass and Water Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Fountain Grass needs full sun and medium water, while Water Lily needs full sun and aquatic water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Fountain Grass or Water Lily?

Fountain Grass grows taller at 4' compared to Water Lily at 6". Fountain Grass spreads 3' while Water Lily spreads 4'.

Are Fountain Grass and Water Lily deer resistant?

Yes, both Fountain Grass and Water Lily are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Fountain Grass or Water Lily?

Fountain Grass has low maintenance while Water Lily has medium maintenance. Fountain Grass may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.