Canna Lily vs Petunia

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

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Petunia

Petunia × hybrida

Solanaceae · flowers

Low Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Petunia (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Canna Lily	Petunia
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Petunia × hybrida
Family	Cannaceae	Solanaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	6'	1'
Spread	2'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	Mixed
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Tropical Americas	South America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Petunia

No — EdibleNo — 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.

Petunia

✓Fertilize every 2 weeks for best bloom.
✓Trim back leggy plants by half in midsummer for revival.
✓Water regularly but don't overwater.
✓Excellent in hanging baskets.

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 Petunia if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Canna LilyProfile →View PetuniaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Canna Lily grows in USDA zones 7-11, while Petunia grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 11.

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

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

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Petunia?

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

Are Canna Lily and Petunia deer resistant?

Neither Canna Lily nor Petunia is considered deer resistant. In areas with deer, consider protective fencing or deer repellent for both plants.

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Petunia?

Both Canna Lily and Petunia 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	Petunia
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Petunia × hybrida
Family	Cannaceae	Solanaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	6'	1'
Spread	2'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	Mixed
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Tropical Americas	South 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.

Petunia

✓Fertilize every 2 weeks for best bloom.
✓Trim back leggy plants by half in midsummer for revival.
✓Water regularly but don't overwater.
✓Excellent in hanging baskets.

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 Petunia if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Canna Lily grows in USDA zones 7-11, while Petunia grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 11.

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

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

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Petunia?

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

Are Canna Lily and Petunia deer resistant?

Neither Canna Lily nor Petunia is considered deer resistant. In areas with deer, consider protective fencing or deer repellent for both plants.

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Petunia?

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