Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Mentha × piperita
Lamiaceae · herbs
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Mint (Zones 3-9)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9
| Feature | Mint | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mentha × piperita | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Lamiaceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | herbs | aquatic |
| Sun | ⛅ Part Shade | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Rich, Moist | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 1' 6" | 6" |
| Spread | 3' | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Summer | Summer |
| Bloom Color | Purple | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Medium |
| Native Region | Europe | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Mint
Water Lily
Mint
Water Lily
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.
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 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
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