Celery vs Lily of the Valley

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

Celery

Apium graveolens

Apiaceae · vegetables

EdibleHigh Maintenance

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Celery (Zones 2-10)

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Celery	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Apium graveolens	Convallaria majalis
Family	Apiaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	vegetables	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	2'	8"
Spread	8"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	White (small)	White
Growth Rate	Slow	Medium
Native Region	Mediterranean, Europe	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	High	Low

Special Traits

Celery

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Celery

✓Start seeds 10-12 weeks before last frost — needs light to germinate.
✓Keep soil consistently moist.
✓Blanch stalks by mounding soil or using cardboard for milder flavor.

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 Celery if you don't mind high maintenance. It thrives in full sun with high water in zones 2–10.

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 3–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View CeleryProfile →View Lily of the ValleyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Celery grows in USDA zones 2-10, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

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

Celery needs full sun and 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, Celery or Lily of the Valley?

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

Are Celery and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

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

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

Celery has high maintenance while Lily of the Valley has low maintenance. Lily of the Valley may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Celery	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Apium graveolens	Convallaria majalis
Family	Apiaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	vegetables	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	2'	8"
Spread	8"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	White (small)	White
Growth Rate	Slow	Medium
Native Region	Mediterranean, Europe	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	High	Low

Care Tips

Celery

✓Start seeds 10-12 weeks before last frost — needs light to germinate.
✓Keep soil consistently moist.
✓Blanch stalks by mounding soil or using cardboard for milder flavor.

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 Celery if you don't mind high maintenance. It thrives in full sun with high water in zones 2–10.

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 3–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Celery grows in USDA zones 2-10, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

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

Celery needs full sun and 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, Celery or Lily of the Valley?

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

Are Celery and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

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

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

Celery has high maintenance while Lily of the Valley has low maintenance. Lily of the Valley may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.