Cilantro/Coriander vs Pea

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

Cilantro/Coriander

Coriandrum sativum

Apiaceae · herbs

EdibleLow Maintenance

Pea

Pisum sativum

Fabaceae · vegetables

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Cilantro/Coriander (Zones 2-11)

Pea (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 2–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cilantro/Coriander	Pea
Scientific Name	Coriandrum sativum	Pisum sativum
Family	Apiaceae	Fabaceae
Category	herbs	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	2'	6'
Spread	8"	6"
Bloom Season	Spring-Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	White, Pink	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean, Western Asia	Mediterranean, Middle East
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Cilantro/Coriander

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Pea

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Cilantro/Coriander

✓Succession sow every 2-3 weeks — bolts quickly in heat.
✓Prefers cool weather.
✓Let some plants flower for coriander seeds.
✓Self-seeds readily.
✓'Slow-bolt' varieties extend harvest.

Pea

✓Plant 4-6 weeks before last frost — peas love cool weather.
✓Provide trellis or pea netting.
✓Harvest frequently for continued production.
✓Inoculate seeds with rhizobium for best nitrogen fixation.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Cilantro/Coriander if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Choose Pea 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 2–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Cilantro/CorianderProfile →View PeaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cilantro/Coriander and Pea grow in the same hardiness zone?

Cilantro/Coriander grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 2 through 11.

Do Cilantro/Coriander and Pea have the same sun and water needs?

Cilantro/Coriander needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Pea needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Cilantro/Coriander or Pea?

Pea grows taller at 6' compared to Cilantro/Coriander at 2'. Pea spreads 6" while Cilantro/Coriander spreads 8".

Are Cilantro/Coriander and Pea deer resistant?

Neither Cilantro/Coriander nor Pea is considered deer resistant. In areas with deer, consider protective fencing or deer repellent for both plants.

Which is easier to maintain, Cilantro/Coriander or Pea?

Both Cilantro/Coriander and Pea have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cilantro/Coriander	Pea
Scientific Name	Coriandrum sativum	Pisum sativum
Family	Apiaceae	Fabaceae
Category	herbs	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	2'	6'
Spread	8"	6"
Bloom Season	Spring-Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	White, Pink	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean, Western Asia	Mediterranean, Middle East
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Cilantro/Coriander

✓Succession sow every 2-3 weeks — bolts quickly in heat.
✓Prefers cool weather.
✓Let some plants flower for coriander seeds.
✓Self-seeds readily.
✓'Slow-bolt' varieties extend harvest.

Pea

✓Plant 4-6 weeks before last frost — peas love cool weather.
✓Provide trellis or pea netting.
✓Harvest frequently for continued production.
✓Inoculate seeds with rhizobium for best nitrogen fixation.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Cilantro/Coriander if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Choose Pea 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 2–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cilantro/Coriander and Pea grow in the same hardiness zone?

Cilantro/Coriander grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 2 through 11.

Do Cilantro/Coriander and Pea have the same sun and water needs?

Cilantro/Coriander needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Pea needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Cilantro/Coriander or Pea?

Pea grows taller at 6' compared to Cilantro/Coriander at 2'. Pea spreads 6" while Cilantro/Coriander spreads 8".

Are Cilantro/Coriander and Pea deer resistant?

Neither Cilantro/Coriander nor Pea is considered deer resistant. In areas with deer, consider protective fencing or deer repellent for both plants.

Which is easier to maintain, Cilantro/Coriander or Pea?

Both Cilantro/Coriander and Pea have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.