Crepe Myrtle vs Lily of the Valley

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

Crepe Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica

Lythraceae · trees

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Crepe Myrtle (Zones 7-10)

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Crepe Myrtle	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Lagerstroemia indica	Convallaria majalis
Family	Lythraceae	Asparagaceae
Category	trees	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	25'	8"
Spread	15'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, Red, White, Purple	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Crepe Myrtle

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Crepe Myrtle

✓Don't 'crepe murder' — avoid topping/severe pruning.
✓Thin interior branches for air flow.
✓Full sun is essential for best blooms.
✓Remove suckers at base.

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 Crepe Myrtle if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

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 7–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Crepe MyrtleProfile →View Lily of the ValleyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Crepe Myrtle grows in USDA zones 7-10, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

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

Crepe Myrtle needs full sun 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, Crepe Myrtle or Lily of the Valley?

Crepe Myrtle grows taller at 25' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Crepe Myrtle spreads 15' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Crepe Myrtle and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Crepe Myrtle 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, Crepe Myrtle or Lily of the Valley?

Both Crepe Myrtle 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	Crepe Myrtle	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Lagerstroemia indica	Convallaria majalis
Family	Lythraceae	Asparagaceae
Category	trees	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	25'	8"
Spread	15'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, Red, White, Purple	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Crepe Myrtle

✓Don't 'crepe murder' — avoid topping/severe pruning.
✓Thin interior branches for air flow.
✓Full sun is essential for best blooms.
✓Remove suckers at base.

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 Crepe Myrtle if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

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 7–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Crepe Myrtle grows in USDA zones 7-10, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

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

Crepe Myrtle needs full sun 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, Crepe Myrtle or Lily of the Valley?

Crepe Myrtle grows taller at 25' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Crepe Myrtle spreads 15' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Crepe Myrtle and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Crepe Myrtle 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, Crepe Myrtle or Lily of the Valley?

Both Crepe Myrtle 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.