Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Hosta spp.
Asparagaceae · flowers
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Hosta (Zones 3-9)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9
| Feature | Hosta | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hosta spp. | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Asparagaceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | flowers | aquatic |
| Sun | ⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Rich, Moist | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 3' | 6" |
| Spread | 4' | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Summer | Summer |
| Bloom Color | White, Lavender | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Medium | Medium |
| Native Region | East Asia | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Hosta
Water Lily
Hosta
Water Lily
Choose Hosta if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 3–9.
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 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
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