Black-Eyed Susan Vine vs Canna Lily

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

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Thunbergia alata

Acanthaceae · vines

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Zones 10-11)

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 10–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan Vine	Canna Lily
Scientific Name	Thunbergia alata	Canna × generalis
Family	Acanthaceae	Cannaceae
Category	vines	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium to High
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	8'	6'
Spread	2'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Orange, Yellow, White	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Africa	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

✓Treat as annual in most zones.
✓Provide trellis or let trail from basket.
✓Deadhead for continuous bloom.
✓Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost.

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 Black-Eyed Susan Vine if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 10–11.

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 10–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Black-Eyed Susan VineProfile →View Canna LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Canna Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Canna Lily grows in zones 7-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 10 through 11.

Do Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Canna Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine needs full sun 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, Black-Eyed Susan Vine or Canna Lily?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine grows taller at 8' compared to Canna Lily at 6'. Black-Eyed Susan Vine spreads 2' while Canna Lily spreads 2'.

Are Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Canna Lily deer resistant?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine is deer resistant, but Canna Lily is not. If deer are a concern, Black-Eyed Susan Vine is the better choice, or protect Canna Lily with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan Vine or Canna Lily?

Both Black-Eyed Susan Vine 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	Black-Eyed Susan Vine	Canna Lily
Scientific Name	Thunbergia alata	Canna × generalis
Family	Acanthaceae	Cannaceae
Category	vines	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium to High
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	8'	6'
Spread	2'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Orange, Yellow, White	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Africa	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

✓Treat as annual in most zones.
✓Provide trellis or let trail from basket.
✓Deadhead for continuous bloom.
✓Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost.

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 Black-Eyed Susan Vine if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 10–11.

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 10–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Canna Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Canna Lily grows in zones 7-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 10 through 11.

Do Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Canna Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine needs full sun 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, Black-Eyed Susan Vine or Canna Lily?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine grows taller at 8' compared to Canna Lily at 6'. Black-Eyed Susan Vine spreads 2' while Canna Lily spreads 2'.

Are Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Canna Lily deer resistant?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine is deer resistant, but Canna Lily is not. If deer are a concern, Black-Eyed Susan Vine is the better choice, or protect Canna Lily with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan Vine or Canna Lily?

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