Canna Lily vs Pachysandra

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

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Pachysandra

Pachysandra terminalis

Buxaceae · groundcovers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Pachysandra (Zones 4-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Canna Lily	Pachysandra
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Pachysandra terminalis
Family	Cannaceae	Buxaceae
Category	flowers	groundcovers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Acidic
Height	6'	8"
Spread	2'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Japan
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Pachysandra

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.

Pachysandra

✓Space 6-12 inches apart for coverage in 2-3 years.
✓Keep moist while establishing.
✓Susceptible to leaf blight in humid conditions — improve air circulation.

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 Pachysandra if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full 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 PachysandraProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

Are Canna Lily and Pachysandra deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Pachysandra?

Both Canna Lily and Pachysandra 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	Pachysandra
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Pachysandra terminalis
Family	Cannaceae	Buxaceae
Category	flowers	groundcovers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Acidic
Height	6'	8"
Spread	2'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
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.

Pachysandra

✓Space 6-12 inches apart for coverage in 2-3 years.
✓Keep moist while establishing.
✓Susceptible to leaf blight in humid conditions — improve air circulation.

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 Pachysandra if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full 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 Pachysandra grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

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

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

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

Are Canna Lily and Pachysandra deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Pachysandra?

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