Onion vs Water Lily

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

Onion

Allium cepa

Amaryllidaceae · vegetables

EdibleDeer ResistantLow Maintenance

Water Lily

Nymphaea spp.

Nymphaeaceae · aquatic

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Onion (Zones 3-9)

Water Lily (Zones 3-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Onion	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Allium cepa	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Amaryllidaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	vegetables	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Pond/Water garden
Height	1' 6"	6"
Spread	4"	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	White	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Central Asia	Worldwide
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Onion

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Water Lily

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Onion

✓Match variety to your latitude — long-day for north, short-day for south.
✓Plant sets or transplants for easiest results.
✓Stop watering when tops fall over.
✓Cure for 2 weeks before storing.

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 Onion if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun 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. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View OnionProfile →View Water LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

Onion 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, Onion or Water Lily?

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

Are Onion and Water Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Onion or Water Lily?

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

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Onion	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Allium cepa	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Amaryllidaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	vegetables	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Pond/Water garden
Height	1' 6"	6"
Spread	4"	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	White	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Central Asia	Worldwide
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

Onion

✓Match variety to your latitude — long-day for north, short-day for south.
✓Plant sets or transplants for easiest results.
✓Stop watering when tops fall over.
✓Cure for 2 weeks before storing.

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 Onion if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun 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. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

Onion 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, Onion or Water Lily?

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

Are Onion and Water Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Onion or Water Lily?

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