Wisteria vs. lilac: Which should you pick for your garden?

If you want to add some color to your garden, why not pick between wisteria vs. lilac? Both of these popular choices have famously purple flowers yet are distinct in their own ways.

Their differences, from appearance to care difficulty, are discussed at length in this article to help you choose which one’s more in line with your preferences.

What is a wisteria plant?

Purple wisteria flowers hanging in a sunlit garden (Source: iStock)

Wisteria refers to a genus of woody vines that can climb vertically and grow aggressively. Its aromatic flowers hang on its stems, displaying a waterfall of purple, blue, pink, or white. Named after Caspar Wistar (American physician and anatomist), it has three species from East Asia and one from the eastern US.

What is a lilac bush?

Purple lilac flower clusters beside green foliage (Source: iStock)

Lilac is a plant in the olive family, with medium- to large-sized shrubs. It takes its name from the Persian word for “bluish” due to the color of its fragrant blooms, which can come in blue, purple, violet, lilac, pink, magenta, or white. It has over 20 species, with two originating in Europe and the rest in Asia.

Lilac vs. wisteria: What are their key differences?

In this section, let’s spell out the major wisteria and lilac differences in terms of appearance, care difficulty, growth rate, toxicity, market value, and other attributes.

In terms of appearance

Purple wisteria vines covering a brick house exterior (Source: iStock)

People can mistake a lilac for a wisteria (and vice versa) due to their physical traits. But where do their features diverge when it comes to flower, leaf, and stem characteristics?

Flower characteristics

Both wisterias and lilacs are known for their fragrant florals and, similar to the foxglove plant, their purple hues. But one difference between wisteria vs. lilac color is that the former also comes in blue, white, and pink, while the latter has blue, violet, lilac, pink, magenta, and white varieties.

Additionally, the cone-shaped lilac flowers are grouped into clumps called panicles that can grow from 6 in to 8 inches long. On the other hand, wisterias cascade into hanging blooms whose clusters or racemes range from 4 inches to 3 feet in length.

Leaf characteristics

The difference between the lilac bush vs. wisteria in terms of their leaves is that the former’s are broad and heart-shaped, while the latter’s are oval and pinnately compound, which means they are composed of tinier leaflets.

Stem characteristics

Another prime lilac and wisteria difference concerns their stems. The multi-stemmed structure of a lilac comprises smooth, stout, copper-colored stems. Meanwhile, a wisteria has green, hairy twining stems that can get thick and heavy, requiring support in the form of sturdy pergolas, trellises, walls, or fences.

In terms of care difficulty

Pruning purple wisteria vines with garden shears (Source: iStock)

Find out which plant is more finicky when it comes to soil type, pest control, and watering, shade, and temperature requirements.

Best soil type

Lilacs prefer neutral and alkaline soil, but they are fairly resilient and can grow even in clay soil. In contrast, wisterias thrive in acidic to neutral soil and are likely to experience yellowing when planted in soil with a very high pH.

Watering amount and frequency

Unlike wisterias, which benefit greatly from regular watering, lilacs are more tolerant of underwatering once they are well-established. But in general, both plants require a steady supply of water during dry spells.

Shade requirements

There’s not much difference between lilac and wisteria when it comes to shade requirements. While partial shade is enough to raise both flowering plants, daily exposure to full sun is an excellent way to ensure a bevy of blooms come blossom season.

Ideal temperature

Most wisteria and lilac varieties are considered hardy plants that fare well in mild winter areas and places with cooler climates. Kentucky wisteria (Wisteria macrostachya) and late lilac (Syringa villosa), for instance, are highly cold-tolerant species that are ideally planted after the last frost date.

Pest control

While wisterias are mostly pest-resistant, insects like leaf miners, scales, and aphids can still cause damage and should be managed through pruning and using insecticidal soap. On the other hand, lilacs are prone to pests, particularly the lilac borer, which means pruning and mulching should be done properly and regularly.

In terms of growth rate

Are lilac and wisteria the same in terms of their growth rate? Another thing that distinguishes these perennial plants is that wisteria grows significantly faster than lilac, reaching up to 10 feet in height in just a year, compared to 1 to 2 feet for lilac.

In terms of bloom time

Lavender lilac blossoms with unopened buds (Source: iStock)

When do lilacs bloom? Lilac’s flower buds usually open up from mid-spring until early summer. On the other hand, the Asian wisteria blooming season is during spring, while the American wisteria species starts blossoming from late spring.

In terms of fragrance

Both are known for their fragrant flowers, but there are some differences between wisteria vs. lilac smell. Lilacs usually emit a sweet, powdery fragrance, while wisterias have a more powerful saccharine scent with a sometimes musky quality.

In terms of toxicity

Brown dog sitting among blooming lilac bushes (Source: iStock)

Overall, lilacs are non-toxic to both humans and animals. Their flowers are even edible and incorporated into various dishes. However, wisterias can be harmful if ingested, so avoid planting them if there is a risk that a child or pet might accidentally eat them.

In terms of propagation ease

If you’re new to growing plants, one essential piece of information to know is that wisteria can be propagated in many ways. While it’s possible to see fast results via softwood cuttings or layering, it can take up to 20 years to witness the fruits of your labor if you choose to cultivate through seeds. 

Lilac, similarly, is considerably easier to propagate through suckers or cuttings but can take up to five years via seeds.

In terms of market value

Flat reddish-brown wisteria seeds in a pile (Source: iStock)

Before getting lilac or wisteria delivered to your place, it’s important to know how much they cost so you can budget accordingly.

Flower prices

In general, lilac (starting at $20 per 2.5-quart pot) is significantly cheaper than wisteria (at least $30 for the same volume).

Seed prices

Wisteria seeds usually cost $12 for a 25-piece packet. Meanwhile, you can get the same amount of lilac seeds for only $3.

Achieve a lush flower garden with Airtasker

Gardener tending purple wisteria flowers in a leafy garden (Source: iStock)

Ready to build a garden teeming with wisteria and lilac blooms? On Airtasker, you can find garden designers and gardening pros who can expertly plan and create an outdoor landscape that highlights these beautiful plants.

Simply sign up on the platform to start reaching out to Taskers near you. Make sure you include important details such as your budget and location when posting a task, then wait for contractors to send a response before hiring someone who’s highly qualified for the job.