The Plont plant library
Canna Lily vs Water Lily (Kumud)
Compare Canna indica with Nymphaea nouchali. Both appear in the flowering category of Plont’s catalog. Use their recorded differences to prepare questions for your nursery.
Growing conditions side by side
Swipe across the table to compare both plants.
| Catalog field | Canna Lily | Water Lily (Kumud) |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Canna indica | Nymphaea nouchali |
| Hindi name (draft) | कैना | कुमुद |
| Other catalog names | canna, sarvajaya, indian shot | kumud, kamalini, blue water lily, star lotus |
| Light starting point | Full sun (6+ hours) | Full sun (6+ hours) |
| Approximate growing range | 12–38°C | 15–38°C |
| Catalog care estimate | Easy | Moderate |
What differs for your space?
Both entries list full sun (6+ hours). Light alone does not distinguish this pair in the catalog; compare the temperature and care-level entries below.
Canna Lily has a recorded range of 12–38°C; Water Lily (Kumud) is listed at 15–38°C. The recorded ranges overlap from 15 to 38°C. That overlap compares the draft entries; it is not proof that either plant will suit the spot.
Canna Lily is marked easy, compared with moderate for Water Lily (Kumud). Treat that as a planning estimate, then ask which care tasks each plant needs in your conditions.
Make the next care decision at the pot.
A comparison cannot set a watering date. Check moisture first: pot size, growing mix and current weather change how quickly a container dries. Record what you notice and decide when to check again.
Read the RHS guide to watering containers for general container advice, or use Plont’s plant observation checklist. The RHS source supports this general advice; it does not verify the species-specific draft values above.
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