Lily of the Valley vs Peony

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

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Peony

Paeonia lactiflora

Paeoniaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

Peony (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Lily of the Valley	Peony
Scientific Name	Convallaria majalis	Paeonia lactiflora
Family	Asparagaceae	Paeoniaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	8"	3'
Spread	1'	3'
Bloom Season	Spring	Late Spring
Bloom Color	White	Pink, White, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Slow
Native Region	Europe, Asia	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Peony

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.

Peony

✓Plant eyes (buds) no deeper than 2 inches below soil surface.
✓Provide support for heavy blooms.
✓Don't move established plants — they resent transplanting.

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 Peony if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part 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 Lily of the ValleyProfile →View PeonyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

Lily of the Valley needs part shade to full shade and medium water, while Peony 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 Peony?

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

Are Lily of the Valley and Peony deer resistant?

Yes, both Lily of the Valley and Peony 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 Peony?

Both Lily of the Valley and Peony 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	Peony
Scientific Name	Convallaria majalis	Paeonia lactiflora
Family	Asparagaceae	Paeoniaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	8"	3'
Spread	1'	3'
Bloom Season	Spring	Late Spring
Bloom Color	White	Pink, White, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Slow
Native Region	Europe, Asia	East Asia
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.

Peony

✓Plant eyes (buds) no deeper than 2 inches below soil surface.
✓Provide support for heavy blooms.
✓Don't move established plants — they resent transplanting.

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 Peony if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part 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 Lily of the Valley and Peony grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

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

Which grows taller, Lily of the Valley or Peony?

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

Are Lily of the Valley and Peony deer resistant?

Yes, both Lily of the Valley and Peony 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 Peony?

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