Black-Eyed Susan vs Lily of the Valley

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

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3-9)

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Convallaria majalis
Family	Asteraceae	Asparagaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	8"
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — 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.

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 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 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 Black-Eyed SusanProfile →View Lily of the ValleyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

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

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun 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, Black-Eyed Susan or Lily of the Valley?

Black-Eyed Susan grows taller at 3' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6" while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Black-Eyed Susan 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, Black-Eyed Susan or Lily of the Valley?

Both Black-Eyed Susan 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	Black-Eyed Susan	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Convallaria majalis
Family	Asteraceae	Asparagaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	8"
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	Europe, Asia
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.

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 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 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 Black-Eyed Susan and Lily of the Valley grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

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

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Lily of the Valley?

Black-Eyed Susan grows taller at 3' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6" while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Black-Eyed Susan 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, Black-Eyed Susan or Lily of the Valley?

Both Black-Eyed Susan 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.