Fountain Grass vs Lily of the Valley

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

Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Poaceae · grasses

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Fountain Grass (Zones 5-9)

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Fountain Grass	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Pennisetum alopecuroides	Convallaria majalis
Family	Poaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	grasses	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	4'	8"
Spread	3'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, Tan	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia, Australia	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Fountain Grass

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Fountain Grass

✓Cut back to 6 inches in late winter before new growth.
✓Divide every 3-4 years.
✓Leave seed heads for winter interest.
✓Drought tolerant once established.

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 Fountain Grass if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–9.

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 5–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Fountain GrassProfile →View Lily of the ValleyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Fountain Grass grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 8.

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

Fountain Grass 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, Fountain Grass or Lily of the Valley?

Fountain Grass grows taller at 4' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Fountain Grass spreads 3' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Fountain Grass and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Fountain Grass 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, Fountain Grass or Lily of the Valley?

Both Fountain Grass 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	Fountain Grass	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Pennisetum alopecuroides	Convallaria majalis
Family	Poaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	grasses	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	4'	8"
Spread	3'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, Tan	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia, Australia	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Fountain Grass

✓Cut back to 6 inches in late winter before new growth.
✓Divide every 3-4 years.
✓Leave seed heads for winter interest.
✓Drought tolerant once established.

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 Fountain Grass if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–9.

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 5–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Fountain Grass grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 8.

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

Which grows taller, Fountain Grass or Lily of the Valley?

Fountain Grass grows taller at 4' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Fountain Grass spreads 3' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Fountain Grass and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Fountain Grass 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, Fountain Grass or Lily of the Valley?

Both Fountain Grass 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.