Canna Lily vs Oriental Lily

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

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Oriental Lily

Lilium orientalis

Liliaceae · bulbs

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Oriental Lily (Zones 4-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Canna Lily	Oriental Lily
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Lilium orientalis
Family	Cannaceae	Liliaceae
Category	flowers	bulbs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Acidic, Well-drained
Height	6'	4'
Spread	2'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Late Summer
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	White, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Japan
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Oriental Lily

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.

Oriental Lily

✓Plant 8 inches deep.
✓Need acidic soil — add sulfur if needed.
✓Excellent cut flowers.
✓Protect from lily leaf beetle.
✓Toxic to cats.

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 Oriental Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 4–8.

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 Oriental LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Canna Lily grows in USDA zones 7-11, while Oriental Lily grows in zones 4-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

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

Canna Lily needs full sun and medium to high water, while Oriental Lily 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 Oriental Lily?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Oriental Lily at 4'. Canna Lily spreads 2' while Oriental Lily spreads 1'.

Are Canna Lily and Oriental Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Oriental Lily?

Both Canna Lily and Oriental Lily 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	Oriental Lily
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Lilium orientalis
Family	Cannaceae	Liliaceae
Category	flowers	bulbs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Acidic, Well-drained
Height	6'	4'
Spread	2'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Late Summer
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	White, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Japan
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.

Oriental Lily

✓Plant 8 inches deep.
✓Need acidic soil — add sulfur if needed.
✓Excellent cut flowers.
✓Protect from lily leaf beetle.
✓Toxic to cats.

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 Oriental Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 4–8.

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 Oriental Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Canna Lily grows in USDA zones 7-11, while Oriental Lily grows in zones 4-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

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

Canna Lily needs full sun and medium to high water, while Oriental Lily 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 Oriental Lily?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Oriental Lily at 4'. Canna Lily spreads 2' while Oriental Lily spreads 1'.

Are Canna Lily and Oriental Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Oriental Lily?

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