Lily of the Valley vs Orange Tree

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

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Orange Tree

Citrus sinensis

Rutaceae · trees

EdibleDeer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

Orange Tree (Zones 9-11)

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

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Lily of the Valley	Orange Tree
Scientific Name	Convallaria majalis	Citrus sinensis
Family	Asparagaceae	Rutaceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained, Sandy
Height	8"	30'
Spread	1'	25'
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	White	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Europe, Asia	Southeast Asia, China
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Orange Tree

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

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.

Orange Tree

✓Protect from frost.
✓Feed with citrus fertilizer 3-4 times per year.
✓Water deeply and consistently.
✓Prune only to shape.
✓Pest management for citrus greening disease.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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.

Choose Orange Tree if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 9–11.

View Lily of the ValleyProfile →View Orange TreeProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lily of the Valley grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Orange Tree grows in zones 9-11. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

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

Lily of the Valley needs part shade to full shade and medium water, while Orange Tree needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Lily of the Valley or Orange Tree?

Orange Tree grows taller at 30' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Orange Tree spreads 25' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Lily of the Valley and Orange Tree deer resistant?

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

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

Lily of the Valley has low maintenance while Orange Tree has medium maintenance. Lily of the Valley may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Lily of the Valley	Orange Tree
Scientific Name	Convallaria majalis	Citrus sinensis
Family	Asparagaceae	Rutaceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained, Sandy
Height	8"	30'
Spread	1'	25'
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	White	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Europe, Asia	Southeast Asia, China
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

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.

Orange Tree

✓Protect from frost.
✓Feed with citrus fertilizer 3-4 times per year.
✓Water deeply and consistently.
✓Prune only to shape.
✓Pest management for citrus greening disease.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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.

Choose Orange Tree if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 9–11.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lily of the Valley grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Orange Tree grows in zones 9-11. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

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

Lily of the Valley needs part shade to full shade and medium water, while Orange Tree needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Lily of the Valley or Orange Tree?

Orange Tree grows taller at 30' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Orange Tree spreads 25' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Lily of the Valley and Orange Tree deer resistant?

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

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

Lily of the Valley has low maintenance while Orange Tree has medium maintenance. Lily of the Valley may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.