Side by side
Pick two or three seeds to see how they grow, side by side: sprouting, spacing, sun, water, frost and pet safety in one table.
Comparing Romaine Lettuce vs. Banana Pepper vs. Armenian Cucumber
The comparison
| Fact | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Easy | Moderate |
| Life cycle | Not yet verified | Not yet verified | Annual |
| Germination time | 7–10 days | Not yet verified | Not yet verified |
| Germination temperature | 16–27 °C61–81 °F | 27–32 °C81–90 °F | Not yet verified |
| Sowing depth | 6 mm–1.5 cm¼–½ in | 6 mm¼ in | Not yet verified |
| Spacing between plants | 20–30 cm8–12 in | 30 cm12 in | Not yet verified |
| Days to maturity | Not yet verified | 70–85 days from transplanting | Not yet verified |
| Sun | Full sun, partial shade | Full sun | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Containers | Yes, 1.9 L or largerYes, 2 qt or larger | Yes, 19 L or largerYes, 5 gal or larger | Not yet verified |
| Frost tolerance | Half-hardy (light frost) | Tender (no frost) | Tender (no frost) |
| Soil pH | pH 6.0–6.5 | pH 6.0–6.5 | Not yet verified |
| Links |
Up close
What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.
VegetablesLactuca sativa var. longifolia
Romaine lettuce, also called cos, is a cool-season leafy green grown from seed in spring or fall. It forms upright heads, grows in full sun to partial shade, and needs steady moisture.
How to grow romaine lettuceVegetablesCapsicum annuum
Banana peppers are mild, sweet Capsicum annuum peppers that grow best in full sun with evenly moist soil. Start seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost, then set plants out after frost danger has passed.
How to grow banana pepperVegetablesCucumis melo var. flexuosus
Armenian cucumber is a warm-season vine in the melon species, grown from seed for its edible fruit, which is eaten fresh or in salads.
How to grow armenian cucumberKeep comparing
Add a third seed, or swap one for a close relative from the same category.
Romaine Lettuce vs. Acorn SquashRomaine Lettuce against another vegetableBanana Pepper vs. Acorn SquashBanana Pepper against another vegetableArmenian Cucumber vs. Acorn SquashArmenian Cucumber against another vegetable
Romaine Lettuce vs. ArtichokeRomaine Lettuce against another vegetableBanana Pepper vs. ArtichokeBanana Pepper against another vegetableArmenian Cucumber vs. ArtichokeArmenian Cucumber against another vegetableThe table, row by row
Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.
Germination time and temperature
How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.
Sowing depth and spacing
How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.
Days to maturity and life cycle
How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.
Sun and water
Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.
Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH
Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.
Toxicity to cats and dogs
Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Quick wins
Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.
Pet friendly
Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.
Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.
Comparing
Each seed's page explains how to grow it from seed, with facts researched and reviewed by our editors.
