Lily of the Valley vs Petunia

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

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Petunia

Petunia × hybrida

Solanaceae · flowers

Low Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

Petunia (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Lily of the Valley	Petunia
Scientific Name	Convallaria majalis	Petunia × hybrida
Family	Asparagaceae	Solanaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	8"	1'
Spread	1'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	White	Mixed
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Asia	South America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Petunia

No — EdibleNo — 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.

Petunia

✓Fertilize every 2 weeks for best bloom.
✓Trim back leggy plants by half in midsummer for revival.
✓Water regularly but don't overwater.
✓Excellent in hanging baskets.

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 Petunia if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

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 PetuniaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lily of the Valley grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Petunia grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

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

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

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

Are Lily of the Valley and Petunia deer resistant?

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

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

Both Lily of the Valley and Petunia 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	Petunia
Scientific Name	Convallaria majalis	Petunia × hybrida
Family	Asparagaceae	Solanaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	8"	1'
Spread	1'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	White	Mixed
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Asia	South America
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.

Petunia

✓Fertilize every 2 weeks for best bloom.
✓Trim back leggy plants by half in midsummer for revival.
✓Water regularly but don't overwater.
✓Excellent in hanging baskets.

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 Petunia if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

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 Petunia grow in the same hardiness zone?

Lily of the Valley grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Petunia grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

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

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

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

Are Lily of the Valley and Petunia deer resistant?

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

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

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