Canna Lily vs Lily of the Valley

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

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Canna Lily	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Convallaria majalis
Family	Cannaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	6'	8"
Spread	2'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Lily of the Valley

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.

Lily of the Valley

✓Plant pips (roots) in fall.
✓Spreads aggressively — contain with barriers or use in areas where spreading is desired.
✓All parts are poisonous.

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 Lily of the Valley if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Canna LilyProfile →View Lily of the ValleyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Canna Lily and Lily of the Valley grow in the same hardiness zone?

Canna Lily grows in USDA zones 7-11, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

Do Canna Lily and Lily of the Valley have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Lily of the Valley?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Canna Lily spreads 2' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Canna Lily and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Lily of the Valley?

Both Canna Lily and Lily of the Valley 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	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Convallaria majalis
Family	Cannaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	6'	8"
Spread	2'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Europe, 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.

Lily of the Valley

✓Plant pips (roots) in fall.
✓Spreads aggressively — contain with barriers or use in areas where spreading is desired.
✓All parts are poisonous.

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 Lily of the Valley if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Canna Lily and Lily of the Valley grow in the same hardiness zone?

Canna Lily grows in USDA zones 7-11, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

Do Canna Lily and Lily of the Valley have the same sun and water needs?

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Lily of the Valley?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Canna Lily spreads 2' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Canna Lily and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Lily of the Valley?

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