Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Lactuca sativa
Asteraceae · vegetables
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Lettuce (Zones 2-11)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–11
| Feature | Lettuce | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lactuca sativa | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Asteraceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | vegetables | aquatic |
| Sun | ☀️ Part Shade to Full Sun | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Rich, Moist | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 1' | 6" |
| Spread | 1' | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Spring, Fall | Summer |
| Bloom Color | Yellow (insignificant) | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Medium |
| Native Region | Mediterranean | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Lettuce
Water Lily
Lettuce
Water Lily
Choose Lettuce if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in part shade to full sun 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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