Canna Lily vs Fountain Grass

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

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Poaceae · grasses

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Fountain Grass (Zones 5-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Canna Lily	Fountain Grass
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Pennisetum alopecuroides
Family	Cannaceae	Poaceae
Category	flowers	grasses
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	6'	4'
Spread	2'	3'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	Pink, Tan
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Tropical Americas	East Asia, Australia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Fountain Grass

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.

Fountain Grass

✓Cut back to 6 inches in late winter before new growth.
✓Divide every 3-4 years.
✓Leave seed heads for winter interest.
✓Drought tolerant once established.

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 Fountain Grass 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.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Canna LilyProfile →View Fountain GrassProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Canna Lily and Fountain Grass grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

Do Canna Lily and Fountain Grass have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Fountain Grass?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Fountain Grass at 4'. Canna Lily spreads 2' while Fountain Grass spreads 3'.

Are Canna Lily and Fountain Grass deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Fountain Grass?

Both Canna Lily and Fountain Grass 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	Fountain Grass
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Pennisetum alopecuroides
Family	Cannaceae	Poaceae
Category	flowers	grasses
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	6'	4'
Spread	2'	3'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	Pink, Tan
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Tropical Americas	East Asia, Australia
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.

Fountain Grass

✓Cut back to 6 inches in late winter before new growth.
✓Divide every 3-4 years.
✓Leave seed heads for winter interest.
✓Drought tolerant once established.

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 Fountain Grass 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.

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 Canna Lily and Fountain Grass grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

Do Canna Lily and Fountain Grass have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Fountain Grass?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Fountain Grass at 4'. Canna Lily spreads 2' while Fountain Grass spreads 3'.

Are Canna Lily and Fountain Grass deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Fountain Grass?

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