Coleus vs Sweet Pea

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

Coleus

Coleus scutellarioides

Lamiaceae · flowers

Low Maintenance

Sweet Pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Fabaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Coleus (Zones 10-11)

Sweet Pea (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 10–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Coleus	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Coleus scutellarioides	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Lamiaceae	Fabaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	2'	6'
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Blue (insignificant)	Mixed
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Coleus

No — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Sweet Pea

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Coleus

✓Pinch flowers to encourage leaf growth.
✓Modern varieties are more sun tolerant.
✓Root cuttings easily in water.
✓Pinch growing tips for bushy form.
✓Bring indoors as houseplant.

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 Coleus if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 10–11.

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 10–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View ColeusProfile →View Sweet PeaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

Coleus needs 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, Coleus or Sweet Pea?

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

Are Coleus and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Coleus or Sweet Pea?

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

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Coleus	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Coleus scutellarioides	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Lamiaceae	Fabaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	2'	6'
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Blue (insignificant)	Mixed
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

Coleus

✓Pinch flowers to encourage leaf growth.
✓Modern varieties are more sun tolerant.
✓Root cuttings easily in water.
✓Pinch growing tips for bushy form.
✓Bring indoors as houseplant.

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 Coleus if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 10–11.

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 10–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

Coleus needs 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, Coleus or Sweet Pea?

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

Are Coleus and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Coleus or Sweet Pea?

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