Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Lilium orientalis
Liliaceae · bulbs
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Oriental Lily (Zones 4-8)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–8
| Feature | Oriental Lily | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lilium orientalis | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Liliaceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | bulbs | aquatic |
| Sun | ☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Rich, Acidic, Well-drained | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 4' | 6" |
| Spread | 1' | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Late Summer | Summer |
| Bloom Color | White, Pink, Red | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Medium | Medium |
| Native Region | Japan | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Oriental Lily
Water Lily
Oriental Lily
Water Lily
Choose Oriental Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 4–8.
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 4–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
Explore More Data Tools
For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.