Black-Eyed Susan vs Sweet Pea

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

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Sweet Pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Fabaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3-9)

Sweet Pea (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Asteraceae	Fabaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	3'	6'
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow	Mixed
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Sweet Pea

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

Sweet Pea

✓Soak seeds overnight before planting.
✓Provide trellis or netting.
✓Pick flowers frequently to prolong bloom.
✓Needs cool weather — plant early spring or fall in warm areas.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Choose Sweet Pea if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Black-Eyed SusanProfile →View Sweet PeaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Sweet Pea grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Sweet Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Sweet Pea have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Sweet Pea needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Sweet Pea?

Sweet Pea grows taller at 6' compared to Black-Eyed Susan at 3'. Sweet Pea spreads 1' while Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6".

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

Yes, both Black-Eyed Susan and Sweet Pea are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Sweet Pea?

Black-Eyed Susan has low maintenance while Sweet Pea has medium maintenance. Black-Eyed Susan may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Asteraceae	Fabaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	3'	6'
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow	Mixed
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

Sweet Pea

✓Soak seeds overnight before planting.
✓Provide trellis or netting.
✓Pick flowers frequently to prolong bloom.
✓Needs cool weather — plant early spring or fall in warm areas.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Choose Sweet Pea if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Sweet Pea grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Sweet Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Sweet Pea have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Sweet Pea needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Sweet Pea?

Sweet Pea grows taller at 6' compared to Black-Eyed Susan at 3'. Sweet Pea spreads 1' while Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6".

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

Yes, both Black-Eyed Susan and Sweet Pea are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Sweet Pea?

Black-Eyed Susan has low maintenance while Sweet Pea has medium maintenance. Black-Eyed Susan may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.