Canna Lily vs Cosmos

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

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Cosmos (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Canna Lily	Cosmos
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Cosmos bipinnatus
Family	Cannaceae	Asteraceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧 Low
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained, Poor
Height	6'	5'
Spread	2'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	Pink, White, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Mexico
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Cosmos

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

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.

Cosmos

✓Direct sow after frost.
✓Don't fertilize — rich soil produces leaves not flowers.
✓Deadhead or let self-seed.
✓Tall varieties may need staking in wind.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Canna Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium to high water in zones 7–11.

Choose Cosmos if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Canna LilyProfile →View CosmosProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Canna Lily and Cosmos grow in the same hardiness zone?

Canna Lily grows in USDA zones 7-11, while Cosmos grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 11.

Do Canna Lily and Cosmos have the same sun and water needs?

Canna Lily needs full sun and medium to high water, while Cosmos needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Cosmos?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Cosmos at 5'. Canna Lily spreads 2' while Cosmos spreads 2'.

Are Canna Lily and Cosmos deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Cosmos?

Both Canna Lily and Cosmos 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	Canna Lily	Cosmos
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Cosmos bipinnatus
Family	Cannaceae	Asteraceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧 Low
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained, Poor
Height	6'	5'
Spread	2'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	Pink, White, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Mexico
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

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.

Cosmos

✓Direct sow after frost.
✓Don't fertilize — rich soil produces leaves not flowers.
✓Deadhead or let self-seed.
✓Tall varieties may need staking in wind.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Canna Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium to high water in zones 7–11.

Choose Cosmos if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Canna Lily and Cosmos grow in the same hardiness zone?

Canna Lily grows in USDA zones 7-11, while Cosmos grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 11.

Do Canna Lily and Cosmos have the same sun and water needs?

Canna Lily needs full sun and medium to high water, while Cosmos needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Cosmos?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Cosmos at 5'. Canna Lily spreads 2' while Cosmos spreads 2'.

Are Canna Lily and Cosmos deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Cosmos?

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