Canna Lily vs Holly

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

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Holly

Ilex opaca

Aquifoliaceae · shrubs

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Holly (Zones 5-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Canna Lily	Holly
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Ilex opaca
Family	Cannaceae	Aquifoliaceae
Category	flowers	shrubs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Acidic, Well-drained
Height	6'	40'
Spread	2'	20'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Holly

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — 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.

Holly

✓Need both male and female plants for berries.
✓One male can pollinate 6-8 females.
✓Prune in winter for holiday decorations.
✓Tolerates heavy shading.

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 Holly if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Canna LilyProfile →View HollyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Holly?

Holly grows taller at 40' compared to Canna Lily at 6'. Holly spreads 20' while Canna Lily spreads 2'.

Are Canna Lily and Holly deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Holly?

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

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Canna Lily	Holly
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Ilex opaca
Family	Cannaceae	Aquifoliaceae
Category	flowers	shrubs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Acidic, Well-drained
Height	6'	40'
Spread	2'	20'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Eastern North America
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.

Holly

✓Need both male and female plants for berries.
✓One male can pollinate 6-8 females.
✓Prune in winter for holiday decorations.
✓Tolerates heavy shading.

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 Holly if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Holly?

Holly grows taller at 40' compared to Canna Lily at 6'. Holly spreads 20' while Canna Lily spreads 2'.

Are Canna Lily and Holly deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Holly?

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