Coleus vs Lily of the Valley

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

Coleus

Coleus scutellarioides

Lamiaceae · flowers

Low Maintenance

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Coleus (Zones 10-11)

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

No zone overlap — these plants cannot be grown in the same climate

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Coleus	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Coleus scutellarioides	Convallaria majalis
Family	Lamiaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	2'	8"
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	Blue (insignificant)	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Coleus

No — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Coleus

✓Pinch flowers to encourage leaf growth.
✓Modern varieties are more sun tolerant.
✓Root cuttings easily in water.
✓Pinch growing tips for bushy form.
✓Bring indoors as houseplant.

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 Coleus if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 10–11.

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.

View ColeusProfile →View Lily of the ValleyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Coleus grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

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

Coleus needs part shade and medium 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, Coleus or Lily of the Valley?

Coleus grows taller at 2' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Coleus spreads 1' 6" while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Coleus and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

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

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

Both Coleus and Lily of the Valley 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	Coleus	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Coleus scutellarioides	Convallaria majalis
Family	Lamiaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	2'	8"
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	Blue (insignificant)	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Coleus

✓Pinch flowers to encourage leaf growth.
✓Modern varieties are more sun tolerant.
✓Root cuttings easily in water.
✓Pinch growing tips for bushy form.
✓Bring indoors as houseplant.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Coleus grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

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

Coleus needs part shade and medium 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, Coleus or Lily of the Valley?

Coleus grows taller at 2' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Coleus spreads 1' 6" while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Coleus and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

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

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

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