Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Ipomoea batatas
Convolvulaceae · vegetables
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Sweet Potato (Zones 3-11)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–11
| Feature | Sweet Potato | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ipomoea batatas | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Convolvulaceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | vegetables | aquatic |
| Sun | ☀️ Full Sun | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Loose, Sandy | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 1' | 6" |
| Spread | 4' | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Late Summer-Fall | Summer |
| Bloom Color | Purple (occasional) | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Medium |
| Native Region | Central/South America | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Sweet Potato
Water Lily
Sweet Potato
Water Lily
Choose Sweet Potato if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–11.
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 3–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.
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