Cosmos vs Lily of the Valley

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

Cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Cosmos (Zones 2-11)

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cosmos	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Cosmos bipinnatus	Convallaria majalis
Family	Asteraceae	Asparagaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Poor	Rich, Moist
Height	5'	8"
Spread	2'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, White, Red	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Mexico	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Cosmos

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Cosmos

✓Direct sow after frost.
✓Don't fertilize — rich soil produces leaves not flowers.
✓Deadhead or let self-seed.
✓Tall varieties may need staking in wind.

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 Cosmos if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 2–11.

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.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View CosmosProfile →View Lily of the ValleyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cosmos grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

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

Cosmos needs full sun and low 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, Cosmos or Lily of the Valley?

Cosmos grows taller at 5' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Cosmos spreads 2' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Cosmos and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Cosmos and Lily of the Valley are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

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

Both Cosmos 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	Cosmos	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Cosmos bipinnatus	Convallaria majalis
Family	Asteraceae	Asparagaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Poor	Rich, Moist
Height	5'	8"
Spread	2'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, White, Red	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Mexico	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Cosmos

✓Direct sow after frost.
✓Don't fertilize — rich soil produces leaves not flowers.
✓Deadhead or let self-seed.
✓Tall varieties may need staking in wind.

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 Cosmos if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 2–11.

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.

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 Cosmos and Lily of the Valley grow in the same hardiness zone?

Cosmos grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

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

Cosmos needs full sun and low 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, Cosmos or Lily of the Valley?

Cosmos grows taller at 5' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Cosmos spreads 2' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Cosmos and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Cosmos and Lily of the Valley are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

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

Both Cosmos 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.