Canna Lily vs Zinnia

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

Canna Lily

Canna × generalis

Cannaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Zinnia

Zinnia elegans

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)

Zinnia (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Canna Lily	Zinnia
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Zinnia elegans
Family	Cannaceae	Asteraceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	6'	3'
Spread	2'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	Mixed
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Mexico
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Canna Lily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Zinnia

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — 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.

Zinnia

✓Direct sow after last frost — zinnias dislike transplanting.
✓Space for air circulation to prevent powdery mildew.
✓Deadhead for continuous bloom.

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 Zinnia if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. 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 ZinniaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Zinnia?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Zinnia at 3'. Canna Lily spreads 2' while Zinnia spreads 1'.

Are Canna Lily and Zinnia deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Zinnia?

Both Canna Lily and Zinnia 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	Zinnia
Scientific Name	Canna × generalis	Zinnia elegans
Family	Cannaceae	Asteraceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium to High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	6'	3'
Spread	2'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink	Mixed
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Mexico
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.

Zinnia

✓Direct sow after last frost — zinnias dislike transplanting.
✓Space for air circulation to prevent powdery mildew.
✓Deadhead for continuous bloom.

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 Zinnia if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. 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 Zinnia grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

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

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

Which grows taller, Canna Lily or Zinnia?

Canna Lily grows taller at 6' compared to Zinnia at 3'. Canna Lily spreads 2' while Zinnia spreads 1'.

Are Canna Lily and Zinnia deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Canna Lily or Zinnia?

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