Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Pachysandra terminalis
Buxaceae · groundcovers
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Pachysandra (Zones 4-8)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–8
| Feature | Pachysandra | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pachysandra terminalis | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Buxaceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | groundcovers | aquatic |
| Sun | ⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Rich, Acidic | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 8" | 6" |
| Spread | 1' 6" | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Spring | Summer |
| Bloom Color | White | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Slow | Medium |
| Native Region | Japan | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Pachysandra
Water Lily
Pachysandra
Water Lily
Choose Pachysandra if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full 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.
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