Black-Eyed Susan vs Canna Lily

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

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3-9)

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Canna Lily
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Canna × generalis
Family	Asteraceae	Cannaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium to High
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	6'
Spread	1' 6"	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Yellow	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

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 if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

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 7–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Black-Eyed SusanProfile →View Canna LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Canna Lily grows in zones 7-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

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

Black-Eyed Susan 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 or Canna Lily?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Black-Eyed Susan at 3'. Canna Lily spreads 2' while Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6".

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Canna Lily deer resistant?

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

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

Both Black-Eyed Susan 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	Canna Lily
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Canna × generalis
Family	Asteraceae	Cannaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium to High
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	6'
Spread	1' 6"	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Yellow	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

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 if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

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 7–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Canna Lily grows in zones 7-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

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

Black-Eyed Susan 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 or Canna Lily?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Black-Eyed Susan at 3'. Canna Lily spreads 2' while Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6".

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Canna Lily deer resistant?

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

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

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