Celery vs Sweet Pea

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

Celery

Apium graveolens

Apiaceae · vegetables

EdibleHigh Maintenance

Sweet Pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Fabaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Celery (Zones 2-10)

Sweet Pea (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 2–10

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Celery	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Apium graveolens	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Apiaceae	Fabaceae
Category	vegetables	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	2'	6'
Spread	8"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	White (small)	Mixed
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean, Europe	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	High	Medium

Special Traits

Celery

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Sweet Pea

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Celery

✓Start seeds 10-12 weeks before last frost — needs light to germinate.
✓Keep soil consistently moist.
✓Blanch stalks by mounding soil or using cardboard for milder flavor.

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 Celery if you don't mind high maintenance. It thrives in full sun with high water in zones 2–10.

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 2–10. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View CeleryProfile →View Sweet PeaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Celery and Sweet Pea grow in the same hardiness zone?

Celery grows in USDA zones 2-10, while Sweet Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 2 through 10.

Do Celery and Sweet Pea have the same sun and water needs?

Celery needs full sun and high water, while Sweet Pea needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Celery or Sweet Pea?

Sweet Pea grows taller at 6' compared to Celery at 2'. Sweet Pea spreads 1' while Celery spreads 8".

Are Celery and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

Sweet Pea is deer resistant, but Celery is not. If deer are a concern, Sweet Pea is the better choice, or protect Celery with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Celery or Sweet Pea?

Celery has high maintenance while Sweet Pea has medium maintenance. Celery may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Celery	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Apium graveolens	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Apiaceae	Fabaceae
Category	vegetables	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	2'	6'
Spread	8"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	White (small)	Mixed
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean, Europe	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	High	Medium

Care Tips

Celery

✓Start seeds 10-12 weeks before last frost — needs light to germinate.
✓Keep soil consistently moist.
✓Blanch stalks by mounding soil or using cardboard for milder flavor.

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 Celery if you don't mind high maintenance. It thrives in full sun with high water in zones 2–10.

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 2–10. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Celery and Sweet Pea grow in the same hardiness zone?

Celery grows in USDA zones 2-10, while Sweet Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 2 through 10.

Do Celery and Sweet Pea have the same sun and water needs?

Celery needs full sun and high water, while Sweet Pea needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Celery or Sweet Pea?

Sweet Pea grows taller at 6' compared to Celery at 2'. Sweet Pea spreads 1' while Celery spreads 8".

Are Celery and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

Sweet Pea is deer resistant, but Celery is not. If deer are a concern, Sweet Pea is the better choice, or protect Celery with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Celery or Sweet Pea?

Celery has high maintenance while Sweet Pea has medium maintenance. Celery may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.