Canna Lily vs Mint

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

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Mint

Mentha × piperita

Lamiaceae · herbs

EdibleDeer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Mint (Zones 3-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Canna Lily	Mint
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Mentha × piperita
Family	Cannaceae	Lamiaceae
Category	flowers	herbs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	6'	1' 6"
Spread	2'	3'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Europe
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Mint

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Canna Lily

✓Dig rhizomes before frost in cold climates.
✓Full sun and rich soil for best performance.
✓Keep well watered.
✓Divide overcrowded clumps in spring.

Mint

✓ALWAYS grow in containers or with buried barriers — mint is extremely invasive.
✓Harvest frequently to keep bushy.
✓Thrives in moist shade.
✓Many varieties: chocolate, apple, pineapple.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Canna Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium to high water in zones 7–11.

Choose Mint if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Canna LilyProfile →View MintProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Canna Lily and Mint grow in the same hardiness zone?

Canna Lily grows in USDA zones 7-11, while Mint grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

Do Canna Lily and Mint have the same sun and water needs?

Canna Lily needs full sun and medium to high water, while Mint needs part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Mint?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Mint at 1' 6". Canna Lily spreads 2' while Mint spreads 3'.

Are Canna Lily and Mint deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Mint?

Both Canna Lily and Mint have low 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	Canna Lily	Mint
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Mentha × piperita
Family	Cannaceae	Lamiaceae
Category	flowers	herbs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	6'	1' 6"
Spread	2'	3'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Europe
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Canna Lily

✓Dig rhizomes before frost in cold climates.
✓Full sun and rich soil for best performance.
✓Keep well watered.
✓Divide overcrowded clumps in spring.

Mint

✓ALWAYS grow in containers or with buried barriers — mint is extremely invasive.
✓Harvest frequently to keep bushy.
✓Thrives in moist shade.
✓Many varieties: chocolate, apple, pineapple.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Canna Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium to high water in zones 7–11.

Choose Mint if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Canna Lily and Mint grow in the same hardiness zone?

Canna Lily grows in USDA zones 7-11, while Mint grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

Do Canna Lily and Mint have the same sun and water needs?

Canna Lily needs full sun and medium to high water, while Mint needs part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Mint?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Mint at 1' 6". Canna Lily spreads 2' while Mint spreads 3'.

Are Canna Lily and Mint deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Mint?

Both Canna Lily and Mint have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.