Canna Lily vs Crepe Myrtle

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

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Crepe Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica

Lythraceae · trees

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Crepe Myrtle (Zones 7-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–10

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Canna Lily	Crepe Myrtle
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Lagerstroemia indica
Family	Cannaceae	Lythraceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	6'	25'
Spread	2'	15'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	Pink, Red, White, Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Southeast Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Crepe Myrtle

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.

Crepe Myrtle

✓Don't 'crepe murder' — avoid topping/severe pruning.
✓Thin interior branches for air flow.
✓Full sun is essential for best blooms.
✓Remove suckers at base.

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 Crepe Myrtle if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–10. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Canna LilyProfile →View Crepe MyrtleProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Canna Lily and Crepe Myrtle grow in the same hardiness zone?

Canna Lily grows in USDA zones 7-11, while Crepe Myrtle grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 10.

Do Canna Lily and Crepe Myrtle have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Crepe Myrtle?

Crepe Myrtle grows taller at 25' compared to Canna Lily at 6'. Crepe Myrtle spreads 15' while Canna Lily spreads 2'.

Are Canna Lily and Crepe Myrtle deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Crepe Myrtle?

Both Canna Lily and Crepe Myrtle 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	Crepe Myrtle
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Lagerstroemia indica
Family	Cannaceae	Lythraceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	6'	25'
Spread	2'	15'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	Pink, Red, White, Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Southeast Asia
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.

Crepe Myrtle

✓Don't 'crepe murder' — avoid topping/severe pruning.
✓Thin interior branches for air flow.
✓Full sun is essential for best blooms.
✓Remove suckers at base.

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 Crepe Myrtle if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–10. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Canna Lily and Crepe Myrtle grow in the same hardiness zone?

Canna Lily grows in USDA zones 7-11, while Crepe Myrtle grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 10.

Do Canna Lily and Crepe Myrtle have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Crepe Myrtle?

Crepe Myrtle grows taller at 25' compared to Canna Lily at 6'. Crepe Myrtle spreads 15' while Canna Lily spreads 2'.

Are Canna Lily and Crepe Myrtle deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Crepe Myrtle?

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