Sweet Pea vs Verbena

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

Sweet Pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Fabaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Verbena

Verbena bonariensis

Verbenaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Sweet Pea (Zones 2-11)

Verbena (Zones 7-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Sweet Pea	Verbena
Scientific Name	Lathyrus odoratus	Verbena bonariensis
Family	Fabaceae	Verbenaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	6'	5'
Spread	1'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Spring-Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Mixed	Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Italy, Sicily	South America
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Sweet Pea

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Verbena

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

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.

Verbena

✓Self-seeds prolifically.
✓Let seedlings naturalize.
✓Cut back in spring in warm climates.
✓Excellent drainage essential.
✓Pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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.

Choose Verbena if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 7–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Sweet PeaProfile →View VerbenaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

Sweet Pea needs full sun and medium water, while Verbena needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Sweet Pea or Verbena?

Sweet Pea grows taller at 6' compared to Verbena at 5'. Sweet Pea spreads 1' while Verbena spreads 1' 6".

Are Sweet Pea and Verbena deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Sweet Pea or Verbena?

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

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Sweet Pea	Verbena
Scientific Name	Lathyrus odoratus	Verbena bonariensis
Family	Fabaceae	Verbenaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	6'	5'
Spread	1'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Spring-Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Mixed	Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Italy, Sicily	South America
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Care Tips

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.

Verbena

✓Self-seeds prolifically.
✓Let seedlings naturalize.
✓Cut back in spring in warm climates.
✓Excellent drainage essential.
✓Pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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.

Choose Verbena if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 7–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–11. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

Sweet Pea needs full sun and medium water, while Verbena needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Sweet Pea or Verbena?

Sweet Pea grows taller at 6' compared to Verbena at 5'. Sweet Pea spreads 1' while Verbena spreads 1' 6".

Are Sweet Pea and Verbena deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Sweet Pea or Verbena?

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