Butterfly Bush vs Canna Lily

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

Butterfly Bush

Buddleja davidii

Scrophulariaceae · shrubs

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Butterfly Bush (Zones 5-9)

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Butterfly Bush	Canna Lily
Scientific Name	Buddleja davidii	Canna × generalis
Family	Scrophulariaceae	Cannaceae
Category	shrubs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium to High
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	10'	6'
Spread	8'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Purple, Pink, White	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	China	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Butterfly Bush

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Butterfly Bush

✓Cut back to 12-18 inches in early spring — blooms on new wood.
✓Deadhead for continuous flowering.
✓Can be invasive — choose sterile cultivars.
✓Full sun essential.

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 Butterfly Bush if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–9.

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 Butterfly BushProfile →View Canna LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Butterfly Bush and Canna Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Butterfly Bush grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Canna Lily grows in zones 7-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

Do Butterfly Bush and Canna Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Butterfly Bush 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, Butterfly Bush or Canna Lily?

Butterfly Bush grows taller at 10' compared to Canna Lily at 6'. Butterfly Bush spreads 8' while Canna Lily spreads 2'.

Are Butterfly Bush and Canna Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Bush or Canna Lily?

Both Butterfly Bush 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	Butterfly Bush	Canna Lily
Scientific Name	Buddleja davidii	Canna × generalis
Family	Scrophulariaceae	Cannaceae
Category	shrubs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium to High
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	10'	6'
Spread	8'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Purple, Pink, White	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	China	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Butterfly Bush

✓Cut back to 12-18 inches in early spring — blooms on new wood.
✓Deadhead for continuous flowering.
✓Can be invasive — choose sterile cultivars.
✓Full sun essential.

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 Butterfly Bush if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–9.

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 Butterfly Bush and Canna Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Butterfly Bush grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Canna Lily grows in zones 7-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

Do Butterfly Bush and Canna Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Butterfly Bush 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, Butterfly Bush or Canna Lily?

Butterfly Bush grows taller at 10' compared to Canna Lily at 6'. Butterfly Bush spreads 8' while Canna Lily spreads 2'.

Are Butterfly Bush and Canna Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Bush or Canna Lily?

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