Strawberry vs Water Lily

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

Strawberry

Fragaria × ananassa

Rosaceae · groundcovers

EdibleMedium Maintenance

Water Lily

Nymphaea spp.

Nymphaeaceae · aquatic

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Strawberry (Zones 3-10)

Water Lily (Zones 3-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–10

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Strawberry	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Fragaria × ananassa	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Rosaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	groundcovers	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic	Pond/Water garden
Height	8"	6"
Spread	1' 6"	4'
Bloom Season	Spring-Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	White	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Hybrid (Americas/Europe)	Worldwide
Maintenance	Medium	Medium

Special Traits

Strawberry

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Water Lily

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Strawberry

✓Plant with crown at soil level.
✓Remove first-year flowers on June-bearers.
✓Mulch with straw.
✓Replace plants every 3 years.
✓Net against birds.

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 Strawberry if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–10.

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 3–10. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View StrawberryProfile →View Water LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Strawberry grows in USDA zones 3-10, while Water Lily grows in zones 3-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 10.

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

Strawberry 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, Strawberry or Water Lily?

Strawberry grows taller at 8" compared to Water Lily at 6". Strawberry spreads 1' 6" while Water Lily spreads 4'.

Are Strawberry and Water Lily deer resistant?

Water Lily is deer resistant, but Strawberry is not. If deer are a concern, Water Lily is the better choice, or protect Strawberry with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Strawberry or Water Lily?

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

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Strawberry	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Fragaria × ananassa	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Rosaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	groundcovers	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic	Pond/Water garden
Height	8"	6"
Spread	1' 6"	4'
Bloom Season	Spring-Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	White	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Hybrid (Americas/Europe)	Worldwide
Maintenance	Medium	Medium

Care Tips

Strawberry

✓Plant with crown at soil level.
✓Remove first-year flowers on June-bearers.
✓Mulch with straw.
✓Replace plants every 3 years.
✓Net against birds.

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 Strawberry if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–10.

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 3–10. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Strawberry grows in USDA zones 3-10, while Water Lily grows in zones 3-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 10.

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

Strawberry 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, Strawberry or Water Lily?

Strawberry grows taller at 8" compared to Water Lily at 6". Strawberry spreads 1' 6" while Water Lily spreads 4'.

Are Strawberry and Water Lily deer resistant?

Water Lily is deer resistant, but Strawberry is not. If deer are a concern, Water Lily is the better choice, or protect Strawberry with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Strawberry or Water Lily?

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