Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Iris germanica
Iridaceae · flowers
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Iris (Zones 3-9)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9
| Feature | Iris | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Iris germanica | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Iridaceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | flowers | aquatic |
| Sun | ☀️ Full Sun | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧 Low to Medium | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Well-drained | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 3' | 6" |
| Spread | 1' 6" | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Spring | Summer |
| Bloom Color | Purple, Blue, Yellow, White | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Medium | Medium |
| Native Region | Mediterranean, Europe | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Iris
Water Lily
Iris
Water Lily
Choose Iris if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low to 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. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.
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