Geranium vs Water Lily

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

Geranium

Pelargonium × hortorum

Geraniaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantMedium Maintenance

Water Lily

Nymphaea spp.

Nymphaeaceae · aquatic

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Geranium (Zones 9-11)

Water Lily (Zones 3-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 9–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Geranium	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Pelargonium × hortorum	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Geraniaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	flowers	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Well-drained	Pond/Water garden
Height	1' 6"	6"
Spread	1' 6"	4'
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Red, Pink, White, Salmon	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	South Africa	Worldwide
Maintenance	Medium	Medium

Special Traits

Geranium

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Water Lily

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Geranium

✓Deadhead spent flower stems at base.
✓Let soil dry slightly between waterings.
✓Feed every 2 weeks.
✓Overwinter indoors in cold climates.
✓Excellent in containers.

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 Geranium if you don't mind medium maintenance, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 9–11.

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 9–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View GeraniumProfile →View Water LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Geranium and Water Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

Do Geranium and Water Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Geranium 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, Geranium or Water Lily?

Geranium grows taller at 1' 6" compared to Water Lily at 6". Geranium spreads 1' 6" while Water Lily spreads 4'.

Are Geranium and Water Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Geranium or Water Lily?

Both Geranium and Water Lily have medium maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Geranium	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Pelargonium × hortorum	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Geraniaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	flowers	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Well-drained	Pond/Water garden
Height	1' 6"	6"
Spread	1' 6"	4'
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Red, Pink, White, Salmon	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	South Africa	Worldwide
Maintenance	Medium	Medium

Care Tips

Geranium

✓Deadhead spent flower stems at base.
✓Let soil dry slightly between waterings.
✓Feed every 2 weeks.
✓Overwinter indoors in cold climates.
✓Excellent in containers.

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 Geranium if you don't mind medium maintenance, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 9–11.

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 9–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Geranium and Water Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

Do Geranium and Water Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Geranium 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, Geranium or Water Lily?

Geranium grows taller at 1' 6" compared to Water Lily at 6". Geranium spreads 1' 6" while Water Lily spreads 4'.

Are Geranium and Water Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Geranium or Water Lily?

Both Geranium and Water Lily have medium maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.