Lily of the Valley vs Pea

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

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Pea

Pisum sativum

Fabaceae · vegetables

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

Pea (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Lily of the Valley	Pea
Scientific Name	Convallaria majalis	Pisum sativum
Family	Asparagaceae	Fabaceae
Category	flowers	vegetables
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	8"	6'
Spread	1'	6"
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	White	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Asia	Mediterranean, Middle East
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Pea

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Lily of the Valley

✓Plant pips (roots) in fall.
✓Spreads aggressively — contain with barriers or use in areas where spreading is desired.
✓All parts are poisonous.

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 Lily of the Valley if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

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

View Lily of the ValleyProfile →View PeaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Lily of the Valley and Pea grow in the same hardiness zone?

Lily of the Valley grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

Do Lily of the Valley and Pea have the same sun and water needs?

Lily of the Valley needs part shade to full 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, Lily of the Valley or Pea?

Pea grows taller at 6' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Pea spreads 6" while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Lily of the Valley and Pea deer resistant?

Lily of the Valley is deer resistant, but Pea is not. If deer are a concern, Lily of the Valley is the better choice, or protect Pea with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Lily of the Valley or Pea?

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

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Lily of the Valley	Pea
Scientific Name	Convallaria majalis	Pisum sativum
Family	Asparagaceae	Fabaceae
Category	flowers	vegetables
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	8"	6'
Spread	1'	6"
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	White	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Asia	Mediterranean, Middle East
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Lily of the Valley

✓Plant pips (roots) in fall.
✓Spreads aggressively — contain with barriers or use in areas where spreading is desired.
✓All parts are poisonous.

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 Lily of the Valley if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Lily of the Valley and Pea grow in the same hardiness zone?

Lily of the Valley grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

Do Lily of the Valley and Pea have the same sun and water needs?

Lily of the Valley needs part shade to full 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, Lily of the Valley or Pea?

Pea grows taller at 6' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Pea spreads 6" while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Lily of the Valley and Pea deer resistant?

Lily of the Valley is deer resistant, but Pea is not. If deer are a concern, Lily of the Valley is the better choice, or protect Pea with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Lily of the Valley or Pea?

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