Lathyrus odoratus (Sweet Pea)
Sweet Pea (Lathyrus Odoratus)
Native to the Mediterranean region, Lathyrus odoratus (Sweet Pea) is a bushy or climbing annual noted for the delicious scent of its lovely flowers. Blooming in a wide array of enchanting colors, Sweet Peas deserve a spot in sunny borders, containers, on arches, and trellises where they will happily twine and release their fabulous scent.
- Sweet Pea flowers feature one large, upright, round petal (banner or standard); two narrow side petals (wings); and two lower petals forming a boat-shaped structure (keel). They are borne on winged stems clad with pairs of medium to dark green leaflets. The stems end in tendrils which enable them to climb. Blooming in clusters, they make magnificent cut flowers and great bouquets for your home.
- Sweet Peas grow and bloom best in cool, mild climates where they enjoy a long blooming season, extending from spring to fall. Sweet Peas resent hot and humid weather.
- As bushy annuals, Sweet Peas grow from 8 in. to 3 ft. tall (20-90 cm). As climbing annuals, Sweet Peas grow up to 6-8 ft. or more (180-240 cm) in a single season. Without support, they would grow in a bushy mound to 2.5’ tall (70 cm).
- Sweet Peas love full sun or light shade in rich, humusy, medium moisture, well-draining soils. Best performance occurs in cool soils with good air circulation. A heavy application of mulch will help keep the roots cool and moist. Incorporate well-rotted organic manure before planting and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks throughout the growing season. Avoid overhead watering.
- Sweet Peas are wonderful when massed in borders, and containers, or climbing and twining on arches or arbors.
- Attractive to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators and beneficial insects, Sweet Pea flowers are not deer's first choice.
- Sweet Peas are susceptible to slugs, snails, Pythium root rot, powdery mildew, rust, gray mold, and various leaf spots.
Most Popular Sweet Pea Varieties
Planting / Growing Sweet Peas
- In Zone 7 or colder: Get a jump on the season by starting Sweet Peas indoors. Plant Sweet Peas out into the garden in very late winter or early spring as soon as the soil is dry enough.
- In Zones 8, 9, or 10: Plant Sweet Peas in late fall so they can develop and bloom in late winter and early spring. Sweet Peas are happiest with their heads in the sun and their roots deep in cool, moist soil. When possible, plant low-growing annuals in front of them to shade their roots.
- Before planting, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours in order to hasten germination. You do not need to soak seeds in a temperate climate.
- Plant the seeds two in. deep (5 cm) and three in. apart (7 cm).
- Once planted, germination can take 7 to 15 days, depending on the soil temperature.
- To encourage bushy growth, pinch off the tops when plants are 6 in. tall (15 cm), not before or you will promote side-shoot development.
- Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new blooms and maintain a neat appearance. Do not hesitate to cut flowers for your bouquets as this will force your Sweet Peas to produce additional stems for bloom. Cut back hard and fertilize if you notice little flowering after the first flush of bloom.
- Propagate by seed. Sow in a cold frame in early autumn, early spring or in-situ in mid-spring
- Sweet peas are NOT edible! Acute ingestion may cause mild stomach upset.
Guide Information
| Hardiness |
2 - 11
|
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8
|
| Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Annuals, Climbers |
| Plant Family | Lathyrus - Sweet Peas |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
| Height | 8" - 8' (20cm - 240cm) |
| Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spacing | 24" - 36" (60cm - 90cm) |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Landscaping Ideas | Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Wall-Side Borders |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
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Alice Day, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Guide Information
| Hardiness |
2 - 11
|
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8
|
| Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Annuals, Climbers |
| Plant Family | Lathyrus - Sweet Peas |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
| Height | 8" - 8' (20cm - 240cm) |
| Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spacing | 24" - 36" (60cm - 90cm) |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Landscaping Ideas | Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Wall-Side Borders |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
Compare All Lathyrus - Sweet Peas Guides with Lathyrus - Sweet Peas
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