Cilantro/Coriander vs Sweet Pea

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

Cilantro/Coriander

Coriandrum sativum

Apiaceae · herbs

EdibleLow Maintenance

Sweet Pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Fabaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Cilantro/Coriander (Zones 2-11)

Sweet Pea (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 2–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cilantro/Coriander	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Coriandrum sativum	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Apiaceae	Fabaceae
Category	herbs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	2'	6'
Spread	8"	1'
Bloom Season	Spring-Summer	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	White, Pink	Mixed
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean, Western Asia	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Cilantro/Coriander

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Sweet Pea

No — EdibleYes — 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.

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

View Cilantro/CorianderProfile →View Sweet PeaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

Cilantro/Coriander needs full sun to part shade and medium 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, Cilantro/Coriander or Sweet Pea?

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

Are Cilantro/Coriander and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

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

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

Cilantro/Coriander has low maintenance while Sweet Pea has medium maintenance. Cilantro/Coriander may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cilantro/Coriander	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Coriandrum sativum	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Apiaceae	Fabaceae
Category	herbs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	2'	6'
Spread	8"	1'
Bloom Season	Spring-Summer	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	White, Pink	Mixed
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean, Western Asia	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	Low	Medium

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.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

Cilantro/Coriander needs full sun to part shade and medium 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, Cilantro/Coriander or Sweet Pea?

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

Are Cilantro/Coriander and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

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

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

Cilantro/Coriander has low maintenance while Sweet Pea has medium maintenance. Cilantro/Coriander may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.