Butterfly Weed vs Canna Lily

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

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Apocynaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Butterfly Weed (Zones 3-9)

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

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

Special Traits

Butterfly Weed

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Butterfly Weed

✓Deep taproot — don't transplant.
✓Direct sow or plant young.
✓Late to emerge in spring — mark location.
✓Monarch caterpillar host plant.

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 Weed if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low 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 Butterfly WeedProfile →View Canna LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Butterfly Weed 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 Butterfly Weed and Canna Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Butterfly Weed needs full sun and low 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 Weed or Canna Lily?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Butterfly Weed at 2' 6". Canna Lily spreads 2' while Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6".

Are Butterfly Weed and Canna Lily deer resistant?

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

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

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

Care Tips

Butterfly Weed

✓Deep taproot — don't transplant.
✓Direct sow or plant young.
✓Late to emerge in spring — mark location.
✓Monarch caterpillar host plant.

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 Weed if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low 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 Butterfly Weed and Canna Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Butterfly Weed 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 Butterfly Weed and Canna Lily have the same sun and water needs?

Butterfly Weed needs full sun and low 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 Weed or Canna Lily?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Butterfly Weed at 2' 6". Canna Lily spreads 2' while Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6".

Are Butterfly Weed and Canna Lily deer resistant?

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

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

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