Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
Amaranthaceae · vegetables
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Swiss Chard (Zones 2-11)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–11
| Feature | Swiss Chard | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Amaranthaceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | vegetables | aquatic |
| Sun | ☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Rich, Well-drained | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 2' | 6" |
| Spread | 1' | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Spring-Fall | Summer |
| Bloom Color | Green (insignificant) | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Medium |
| Native Region | Mediterranean | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Swiss Chard
Water Lily
Swiss Chard
Water Lily
Choose Swiss Chard if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.
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. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
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