Sweet Pea vs Water Lily

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

Sweet Pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Fabaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Water Lily

Nymphaea spp.

Nymphaeaceae · aquatic

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Sweet Pea (Zones 2-11)

Water Lily (Zones 3-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Sweet Pea	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Lathyrus odoratus	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Fabaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	flowers	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Pond/Water garden
Height	6'	6"
Spread	1'	4'
Bloom Season	Spring-Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Mixed	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Italy, Sicily	Worldwide
Maintenance	Medium	Medium

Special Traits

Sweet Pea

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Water Lily

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Sweet Pea

✓Soak seeds overnight before planting.
✓Provide trellis or netting.
✓Pick flowers frequently to prolong bloom.
✓Needs cool weather — plant early spring or fall in warm areas.

Water Lily

✓Plant in containers submerged 12-18 inches deep.
✓Needs 6+ hours of direct sun.
✓Fertilize monthly during growing season.
✓Divide when crowded.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Sweet Pea if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in 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. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Sweet PeaProfile →View Water LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Sweet Pea and Water Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Sweet Pea grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Water Lily grows in zones 3-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 11.

Do Sweet Pea and Water Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Sweet Pea needs full sun and medium water, while Water Lily needs full sun and aquatic water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Sweet Pea or Water Lily?

Sweet Pea grows taller at 6' compared to Water Lily at 6". Sweet Pea spreads 1' while Water Lily spreads 4'.

Are Sweet Pea and Water Lily deer resistant?

Yes, both Sweet Pea and Water Lily are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Sweet Pea or Water Lily?

Both Sweet Pea and Water Lily have medium 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	Sweet Pea	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Lathyrus odoratus	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Fabaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	flowers	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Pond/Water garden
Height	6'	6"
Spread	1'	4'
Bloom Season	Spring-Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Mixed	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Italy, Sicily	Worldwide
Maintenance	Medium	Medium

Care Tips

Sweet Pea

✓Soak seeds overnight before planting.
✓Provide trellis or netting.
✓Pick flowers frequently to prolong bloom.
✓Needs cool weather — plant early spring or fall in warm areas.

Water Lily

✓Plant in containers submerged 12-18 inches deep.
✓Needs 6+ hours of direct sun.
✓Fertilize monthly during growing season.
✓Divide when crowded.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Sweet Pea if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in 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. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Sweet Pea and Water Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Sweet Pea grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Water Lily grows in zones 3-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 11.

Do Sweet Pea and Water Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Sweet Pea needs full sun and medium water, while Water Lily needs full sun and aquatic water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Sweet Pea or Water Lily?

Sweet Pea grows taller at 6' compared to Water Lily at 6". Sweet Pea spreads 1' while Water Lily spreads 4'.

Are Sweet Pea and Water Lily deer resistant?

Yes, both Sweet Pea and Water Lily are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Sweet Pea or Water Lily?

Both Sweet Pea and Water Lily have medium maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.