Bleeding Heart vs Lily of the Valley

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

Bleeding Heart

Lamprocapnos spectabilis

Papaveraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Bleeding Heart (Zones 3-9)

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Bleeding Heart	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Lamprocapnos spectabilis	Convallaria majalis
Family	Papaveraceae	Asparagaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	8"
Spread	2'	1'
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, White	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	East Asia	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Bleeding Heart

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Bleeding Heart

✓Plant ferns nearby to fill space when bleeding heart goes dormant.
✓Prefers cool, moist conditions.
✓Self-seeds in ideal conditions.
✓Toxic if ingested.

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 Bleeding Heart if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade 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 Bleeding HeartProfile →View Lily of the ValleyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Bleeding Heart and Lily of the Valley grow in the same hardiness zone?

Bleeding Heart 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 Bleeding Heart and Lily of the Valley have the same sun and water needs?

Bleeding Heart needs 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, Bleeding Heart or Lily of the Valley?

Bleeding Heart grows taller at 3' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Bleeding Heart spreads 2' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Bleeding Heart and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Bleeding Heart 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, Bleeding Heart or Lily of the Valley?

Both Bleeding Heart 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	Bleeding Heart	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Lamprocapnos spectabilis	Convallaria majalis
Family	Papaveraceae	Asparagaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	8"
Spread	2'	1'
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, White	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	East Asia	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Bleeding Heart

✓Plant ferns nearby to fill space when bleeding heart goes dormant.
✓Prefers cool, moist conditions.
✓Self-seeds in ideal conditions.
✓Toxic if ingested.

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 Bleeding Heart if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade 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 Bleeding Heart and Lily of the Valley grow in the same hardiness zone?

Bleeding Heart 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 Bleeding Heart and Lily of the Valley have the same sun and water needs?

Which grows taller, Bleeding Heart or Lily of the Valley?

Bleeding Heart grows taller at 3' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Bleeding Heart spreads 2' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Bleeding Heart and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Bleeding Heart 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, Bleeding Heart or Lily of the Valley?

Both Bleeding Heart 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.