Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Gardenia jasminoides
Rubiaceae · shrubs
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Gardenia (Zones 8-11)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 8–11
| Feature | Gardenia | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gardenia jasminoides | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Rubiaceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | shrubs | aquatic |
| Sun | ⛅ Part Shade | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Rich, Acidic, Moist | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 6' | 6" |
| Spread | 4' | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Late Spring-Summer | Summer |
| Bloom Color | White | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Medium | Medium |
| Native Region | East Asia | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | High | Medium |
Gardenia
Water Lily
Gardenia
Water Lily
Choose Gardenia if you don't mind high maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 8–11.
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 8–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
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