Parsley vs Sweet Pea

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

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

Apiaceae · herbs

EdibleLow Maintenance

Sweet Pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Fabaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Parsley (Zones 5-9)

Sweet Pea (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Parsley	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Petroselinum crispum	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Apiaceae	Fabaceae
Category	herbs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	1'	6'
Spread	1'	1'
Bloom Season	Spring-Summer	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow-green (second year)	Mixed
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Parsley

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Sweet Pea

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Parsley

✓Soak seeds overnight before planting — slow to germinate (3-4 weeks).
✓Harvest outer stems first.
✓Cut flower stalks to prolong leaf production.
✓Swallowtail butterfly host plant.

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 Parsley if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

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 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View ParsleyProfile →View Sweet PeaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Parsley grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Sweet Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

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

Parsley 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, Parsley or Sweet Pea?

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

Are Parsley and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Parsley or Sweet Pea?

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

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Parsley	Sweet Pea
Scientific Name	Petroselinum crispum	Lathyrus odoratus
Family	Apiaceae	Fabaceae
Category	herbs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	1'	6'
Spread	1'	1'
Bloom Season	Spring-Summer	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow-green (second year)	Mixed
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean	Italy, Sicily
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

Parsley

✓Soak seeds overnight before planting — slow to germinate (3-4 weeks).
✓Harvest outer stems first.
✓Cut flower stalks to prolong leaf production.
✓Swallowtail butterfly host plant.

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 Parsley if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

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 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Parsley grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Sweet Pea grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

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

Parsley 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, Parsley or Sweet Pea?

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

Are Parsley and Sweet Pea deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Parsley or Sweet Pea?

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