Lemon Tree vs Water Lily

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

Lemon Tree

Citrus limon

Rutaceae · trees

EdibleDeer ResistantDrought TolerantMedium Maintenance

Water Lily

Nymphaea spp.

Nymphaeaceae · aquatic

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Lemon Tree (Zones 9-11)

Water Lily (Zones 3-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 9–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Lemon Tree	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Citrus limon	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Rutaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	trees	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy, Acidic	Pond/Water garden
Height	20'	6"
Spread	15'	4'
Bloom Season	Year-round	Summer
Bloom Color	White, Purple	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Worldwide
Maintenance	Medium	Medium

Special Traits

Lemon Tree

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Water Lily

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Lemon Tree

✓Frost sensitive — protect below 30°F.
✓Feed with citrus fertilizer regularly.
✓Water deeply but let soil dry between waterings.
✓Scale and citrus leaf miner are common pests.

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 Lemon Tree 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 Lemon TreeProfile →View Water LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Lemon Tree and Water Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Lemon Tree 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 Lemon Tree and Water Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Lemon Tree 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, Lemon Tree or Water Lily?

Lemon Tree grows taller at 20' compared to Water Lily at 6". Lemon Tree spreads 15' while Water Lily spreads 4'.

Are Lemon Tree and Water Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Lemon Tree or Water Lily?

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

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Lemon Tree	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Citrus limon	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Rutaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	trees	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy, Acidic	Pond/Water garden
Height	20'	6"
Spread	15'	4'
Bloom Season	Year-round	Summer
Bloom Color	White, Purple	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Worldwide
Maintenance	Medium	Medium

Care Tips

Lemon Tree

✓Frost sensitive — protect below 30°F.
✓Feed with citrus fertilizer regularly.
✓Water deeply but let soil dry between waterings.
✓Scale and citrus leaf miner are common pests.

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 Lemon Tree 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 Lemon Tree and Water Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Lemon Tree 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 Lemon Tree and Water Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Lemon Tree 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, Lemon Tree or Water Lily?

Lemon Tree grows taller at 20' compared to Water Lily at 6". Lemon Tree spreads 15' while Water Lily spreads 4'.

Are Lemon Tree and Water Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Lemon Tree or Water Lily?

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