Balloon Flower vs Lily of the Valley

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

Balloon Flower

Platycodon grandiflorus

Campanulaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Balloon Flower (Zones 3-8)

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Balloon Flower	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Platycodon grandiflorus	Convallaria majalis
Family	Campanulaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	2'	8"
Spread	1'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	Blue, White, Pink	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	East Asia	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Balloon Flower

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — 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.

Lily of the Valley

✓Plant pips (roots) in fall.
✓Spreads aggressively — contain with barriers or use in areas where spreading is desired.
✓All parts are poisonous.

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 Lily of the Valley if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Balloon FlowerProfile →View Lily of the ValleyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Balloon Flower grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

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

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

Which grows taller, Balloon Flower or Lily of the Valley?

Balloon Flower grows taller at 2' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Balloon Flower spreads 1' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Balloon Flower and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Balloon Flower and Lily of the Valley are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Balloon Flower or Lily of the Valley?

Both Balloon Flower and Lily of the Valley 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	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Platycodon grandiflorus	Convallaria majalis
Family	Campanulaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	2'	8"
Spread	1'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	Blue, White, Pink	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	East Asia	Europe, Asia
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.

Lily of the Valley

✓Plant pips (roots) in fall.
✓Spreads aggressively — contain with barriers or use in areas where spreading is desired.
✓All parts are poisonous.

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 Lily of the Valley if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Balloon Flower grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

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

Which grows taller, Balloon Flower or Lily of the Valley?

Balloon Flower grows taller at 2' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Balloon Flower spreads 1' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Balloon Flower and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Balloon Flower and Lily of the Valley are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Balloon Flower or Lily of the Valley?

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