Balloon Flower vs Canna Lily

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

Balloon Flower

Platycodon grandiflorus

Campanulaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Balloon Flower (Zones 3-8)

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Balloon Flower	Canna Lily
Scientific Name	Platycodon grandiflorus	Canna × generalis
Family	Campanulaceae	Cannaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium to High
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	2'	6'
Spread	1'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Blue, White, Pink	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Balloon Flower

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Balloon Flower

✓Late to emerge in spring — mark location to avoid damage.
✓Deep taproot — don't transplant.
✓Cut back after flowering.
✓Deer and pest resistant.

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.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Balloon Flower if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

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

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Balloon FlowerProfile →View Canna LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Balloon Flower and Canna Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Balloon Flower grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Canna Lily grows in zones 7-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

Do Balloon Flower and Canna Lily have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Balloon Flower or Canna Lily?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Balloon Flower at 2'. Canna Lily spreads 2' while Balloon Flower spreads 1'.

Are Balloon Flower and Canna Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Balloon Flower or Canna Lily?

Both Balloon Flower and Canna Lily 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	Balloon Flower	Canna Lily
Scientific Name	Platycodon grandiflorus	Canna × generalis
Family	Campanulaceae	Cannaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium to High
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	2'	6'
Spread	1'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Blue, White, Pink	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Balloon Flower

✓Late to emerge in spring — mark location to avoid damage.
✓Deep taproot — don't transplant.
✓Cut back after flowering.
✓Deer and pest resistant.

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.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Balloon Flower if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

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

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Balloon Flower and Canna Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Balloon Flower grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Canna Lily grows in zones 7-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

Do Balloon Flower and Canna Lily have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Balloon Flower or Canna Lily?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Balloon Flower at 2'. Canna Lily spreads 2' while Balloon Flower spreads 1'.

Are Balloon Flower and Canna Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Balloon Flower or Canna Lily?

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