Green Bean vs Lily of the Valley

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

Green Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris

Fabaceae · vegetables

EdibleLow Maintenance

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Green Bean (Zones 2-11)

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Green Bean	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Phaseolus vulgaris	Convallaria majalis
Family	Fabaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	vegetables	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	2'	8"
Spread	8"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	White	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Central/South America	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Green Bean

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Green Bean

✓Direct sow after all frost danger.
✓Don't soak seeds.
✓Pick every 2-3 days to encourage production.
✓Rotate planting location yearly.
✓Beans fix nitrogen — don't fertilize heavily.

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 Green Bean if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium 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 Green BeanProfile →View Lily of the ValleyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Green Bean 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 Green Bean and Lily of the Valley have the same sun and water needs?

Green Bean 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, Green Bean or Lily of the Valley?

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

Are Green Bean and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

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

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

Both Green Bean 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	Green Bean	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Phaseolus vulgaris	Convallaria majalis
Family	Fabaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	vegetables	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	2'	8"
Spread	8"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	White	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Central/South America	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Green Bean

✓Direct sow after all frost danger.
✓Don't soak seeds.
✓Pick every 2-3 days to encourage production.
✓Rotate planting location yearly.
✓Beans fix nitrogen — don't fertilize heavily.

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 Green Bean if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium 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 Green Bean and Lily of the Valley grow in the same hardiness zone?

Green Bean 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 Green Bean and Lily of the Valley have the same sun and water needs?

Green Bean 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, Green Bean or Lily of the Valley?

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

Are Green Bean and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

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

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

Both Green Bean 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.