Green Bean vs Water Lily

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

Green Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris

Fabaceae · vegetables

EdibleLow Maintenance

Water Lily

Nymphaea spp.

Nymphaeaceae · aquatic

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Green Bean (Zones 2-11)

Water Lily (Zones 3-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Green Bean	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Phaseolus vulgaris	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Fabaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	vegetables	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Well-drained	Pond/Water garden
Height	2'	6"
Spread	8"	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	White	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Central/South America	Worldwide
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Green Bean

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Water Lily

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Green Bean

✓Direct sow after all frost danger.
✓Don't soak seeds.
✓Pick every 2-3 days to encourage production.
✓Rotate planting location yearly.
✓Beans fix nitrogen — don't fertilize heavily.

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 Green Bean if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

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 3–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Green BeanProfile →View Water LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Green Bean and Water Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Green Bean grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Water Lily grows in zones 3-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 11.

Do Green Bean and Water Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Green Bean 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, Green Bean or Water Lily?

Green Bean grows taller at 2' compared to Water Lily at 6". Green Bean spreads 8" while Water Lily spreads 4'.

Are Green Bean and Water Lily deer resistant?

Water Lily is deer resistant, but Green Bean is not. If deer are a concern, Water Lily is the better choice, or protect Green Bean with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Green Bean or Water Lily?

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

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Green Bean	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Phaseolus vulgaris	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Fabaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	vegetables	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Well-drained	Pond/Water garden
Height	2'	6"
Spread	8"	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	White	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Central/South America	Worldwide
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

Green Bean

✓Direct sow after all frost danger.
✓Don't soak seeds.
✓Pick every 2-3 days to encourage production.
✓Rotate planting location yearly.
✓Beans fix nitrogen — don't fertilize heavily.

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 Green Bean if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

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 3–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Green Bean and Water Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Green Bean grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Water Lily grows in zones 3-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 11.

Do Green Bean and Water Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Green Bean 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, Green Bean or Water Lily?

Green Bean grows taller at 2' compared to Water Lily at 6". Green Bean spreads 8" while Water Lily spreads 4'.

Are Green Bean and Water Lily deer resistant?

Water Lily is deer resistant, but Green Bean is not. If deer are a concern, Water Lily is the better choice, or protect Green Bean with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Green Bean or Water Lily?

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