Begonia vs Canna Lily

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

Begonia

Begonia × semperflorens

Begoniaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Begonia (Zones 2-11)

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Begonia	Canna Lily
Scientific Name	Begonia × semperflorens	Canna × generalis
Family	Begoniaceae	Cannaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium to High
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	1'	6'
Spread	1'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Red, Pink, White	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	South America	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Begonia

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Begonia

✓Pinch tips for bushy growth.
✓Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
✓Bring indoors before frost.
✓Tuberous types need winter dormancy.
✓Rex begonias grown for stunning foliage.

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 Begonia if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

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 7–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View BegoniaProfile →View Canna LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Begonia and Canna Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Begonia grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Canna Lily grows in zones 7-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 11.

Do Begonia and Canna Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Begonia needs 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, Begonia or Canna Lily?

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

Are Begonia and Canna Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Begonia or Canna Lily?

Both Begonia 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	Begonia	Canna Lily
Scientific Name	Begonia × semperflorens	Canna × generalis
Family	Begoniaceae	Cannaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium to High
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	1'	6'
Spread	1'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Red, Pink, White	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	South America	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Begonia

✓Pinch tips for bushy growth.
✓Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
✓Bring indoors before frost.
✓Tuberous types need winter dormancy.
✓Rex begonias grown for stunning foliage.

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 Begonia if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

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 7–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Begonia and Canna Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Begonia grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Canna Lily grows in zones 7-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 11.

Do Begonia and Canna Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Begonia needs 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, Begonia or Canna Lily?

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

Are Begonia and Canna Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Begonia or Canna Lily?

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