Delphinium vs Sweet Pea

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

Delphinium

Delphinium elatum

Ranunculaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantHigh Maintenance

Sweet Pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Fabaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Delphinium (Zones 3-7)

Sweet Pea (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–7

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Delphinium	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Delphinium elatum	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Ranunculaceae	Fabaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	6'	6'
Spread	2'	1'
Bloom Season	Early Summer	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Blue, Purple, White, Pink	Mixed
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Asia	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	High	Medium

Special Traits

Delphinium

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Sweet Pea

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Delphinium

✓Stake tall varieties.
✓Cut back after first bloom for possible rebloom.
✓Needs cool summers — struggles in heat.
✓Slugs love young growth.
✓All parts are toxic.

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 Delphinium if you don't mind high maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–7.

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 3–7. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View DelphiniumProfile →View Sweet PeaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Delphinium grows in USDA zones 3-7, while Sweet Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 7.

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

Delphinium needs full sun and medium water, while Sweet Pea needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Delphinium or Sweet Pea?

Both Delphinium and Sweet Pea reach approximately 6' in height, with spreads of 2' and 1' respectively.

Are Delphinium and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Delphinium or Sweet Pea?

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

Explore More Data Tools

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

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Delphinium	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Delphinium elatum	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Ranunculaceae	Fabaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	6'	6'
Spread	2'	1'
Bloom Season	Early Summer	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Blue, Purple, White, Pink	Mixed
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Asia	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	High	Medium

Care Tips

Delphinium

✓Stake tall varieties.
✓Cut back after first bloom for possible rebloom.
✓Needs cool summers — struggles in heat.
✓Slugs love young growth.
✓All parts are toxic.

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 Delphinium if you don't mind high maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–7.

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 3–7. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Delphinium grows in USDA zones 3-7, while Sweet Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 7.

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

Delphinium needs full sun and medium water, while Sweet Pea needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Delphinium or Sweet Pea?

Both Delphinium and Sweet Pea reach approximately 6' in height, with spreads of 2' and 1' respectively.

Are Delphinium and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Delphinium or Sweet Pea?

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