Lily of the Valley vs Oriental Lily

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

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Oriental Lily

Lilium orientalis

Liliaceae · bulbs

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

Oriental Lily (Zones 4-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Lily of the Valley	Oriental Lily
Scientific Name	Convallaria majalis	Lilium orientalis
Family	Asparagaceae	Liliaceae
Category	flowers	bulbs
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Acidic, Well-drained
Height	8"	4'
Spread	1'	1'
Bloom Season	Spring	Late Summer
Bloom Color	White	White, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Europe, Asia	Japan
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Oriental Lily

No — 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.

Oriental Lily

✓Plant 8 inches deep.
✓Need acidic soil — add sulfur if needed.
✓Excellent cut flowers.
✓Protect from lily leaf beetle.
✓Toxic to cats.

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 Oriental Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 4–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Lily of the ValleyProfile →View Oriental LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lily of the Valley grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Oriental Lily grows in zones 4-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

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

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

Which grows taller, Lily of the Valley or Oriental Lily?

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

Are Lily of the Valley and Oriental Lily deer resistant?

Yes, both Lily of the Valley and Oriental Lily 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 Oriental Lily?

Both Lily of the Valley and Oriental Lily 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	Lily of the Valley	Oriental Lily
Scientific Name	Convallaria majalis	Lilium orientalis
Family	Asparagaceae	Liliaceae
Category	flowers	bulbs
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Acidic, Well-drained
Height	8"	4'
Spread	1'	1'
Bloom Season	Spring	Late Summer
Bloom Color	White	White, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Europe, Asia	Japan
Maintenance	Low	Low

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.

Oriental Lily

✓Plant 8 inches deep.
✓Need acidic soil — add sulfur if needed.
✓Excellent cut flowers.
✓Protect from lily leaf beetle.
✓Toxic to cats.

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 Oriental Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 4–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lily of the Valley grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Oriental Lily grows in zones 4-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

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

Which grows taller, Lily of the Valley or Oriental Lily?

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

Are Lily of the Valley and Oriental Lily deer resistant?

Yes, both Lily of the Valley and Oriental Lily 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 Oriental Lily?

Both Lily of the Valley and Oriental Lily have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.