Daffodil vs Sweet Pea

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

Daffodil

Narcissus pseudonarcissus

Amaryllidaceae · bulbs

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Sweet Pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Fabaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Daffodil (Zones 3-8)

Sweet Pea (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Daffodil	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Narcissus pseudonarcissus	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Amaryllidaceae	Fabaceae
Category	bulbs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	1' 6"	6'
Spread	6"	1'
Bloom Season	Early Spring	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow, White, Orange	Mixed
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Europe	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Daffodil

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Sweet Pea

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Daffodil

✓Plant 6 inches deep in fall.
✓Let foliage yellow naturally for 6 weeks after bloom.
✓Divide when clumps become crowded and bloom declines.
✓Never braid or remove foliage early.

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 Daffodil if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

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 3–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View DaffodilProfile →View Sweet PeaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Daffodil grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Sweet Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

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

Daffodil 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, Daffodil or Sweet Pea?

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

Are Daffodil and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Daffodil or Sweet Pea?

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

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Daffodil	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Narcissus pseudonarcissus	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Amaryllidaceae	Fabaceae
Category	bulbs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	1' 6"	6'
Spread	6"	1'
Bloom Season	Early Spring	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow, White, Orange	Mixed
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Europe	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

Daffodil

✓Plant 6 inches deep in fall.
✓Let foliage yellow naturally for 6 weeks after bloom.
✓Divide when clumps become crowded and bloom declines.
✓Never braid or remove foliage early.

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 Daffodil if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

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 3–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Daffodil grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Sweet Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

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

Daffodil 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, Daffodil or Sweet Pea?

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

Are Daffodil and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Daffodil or Sweet Pea?

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