Asiatic Lily vs Coleus

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

Asiatic Lily

Lilium asiaticum

Liliaceae · bulbs

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Coleus

Coleus scutellarioides

Lamiaceae · flowers

Low Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Asiatic Lily (Zones 3-8)

Coleus (Zones 10-11)

No zone overlap — these plants cannot be grown in the same climate

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Asiatic Lily	Coleus
Scientific Name	Lilium asiaticum	Coleus scutellarioides
Family	Liliaceae	Lamiaceae
Category	bulbs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	2'
Spread	1'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Early Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Orange, Red, Yellow, Pink	Blue (insignificant)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Asia	Southeast Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Asiatic Lily

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Coleus

No — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Asiatic Lily

✓Plant bulbs 6 inches deep in fall or spring.
✓Stake tall varieties.
✓Leave foliage to die naturally.
✓Divide every 3-4 years when crowded.

Coleus

✓Pinch flowers to encourage leaf growth.
✓Modern varieties are more sun tolerant.
✓Root cuttings easily in water.
✓Pinch growing tips for bushy form.
✓Bring indoors as houseplant.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Asiatic Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–8.

Choose Coleus if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 10–11.

View Asiatic LilyProfile →View ColeusProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Asiatic Lily and Coleus grow in the same hardiness zone?

Asiatic Lily grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Coleus grows in zones 10-11. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Asiatic Lily and Coleus have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Asiatic Lily or Coleus?

Asiatic Lily grows taller at 3' compared to Coleus at 2'. Asiatic Lily spreads 1' while Coleus spreads 1' 6".

Are Asiatic Lily and Coleus deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Asiatic Lily or Coleus?

Both Asiatic Lily and Coleus 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	Asiatic Lily	Coleus
Scientific Name	Lilium asiaticum	Coleus scutellarioides
Family	Liliaceae	Lamiaceae
Category	bulbs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	2'
Spread	1'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Early Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Orange, Red, Yellow, Pink	Blue (insignificant)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Asia	Southeast Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Asiatic Lily

✓Plant bulbs 6 inches deep in fall or spring.
✓Stake tall varieties.
✓Leave foliage to die naturally.
✓Divide every 3-4 years when crowded.

Coleus

✓Pinch flowers to encourage leaf growth.
✓Modern varieties are more sun tolerant.
✓Root cuttings easily in water.
✓Pinch growing tips for bushy form.
✓Bring indoors as houseplant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Asiatic Lily and Coleus grow in the same hardiness zone?

Asiatic Lily grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Coleus grows in zones 10-11. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Asiatic Lily and Coleus have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Asiatic Lily or Coleus?

Asiatic Lily grows taller at 3' compared to Coleus at 2'. Asiatic Lily spreads 1' while Coleus spreads 1' 6".

Are Asiatic Lily and Coleus deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Asiatic Lily or Coleus?

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