Pea.

En un coup d'œil

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Annual vegetable

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 2 to 4 days

Mature size

1 to 2 meters

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 2 to 11

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Entretien

Provide a sturdy trellis for the vines to climb as they grow. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and watch for powdery mildew on the leaves if airflow is poor. Harvest pods regularly to encourage the plant to keep producing more.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season.

Feeding

Use a balanced fertilizer low in nitrogen to support pod production.

Pruning

Remove spent vines or yellowing foliage to maintain plant health.

Repotting

These are annuals and are not typically repotted.

Soil

Well draining loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

5 to 25°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Drought tolerance

low

Lifespan

Annual, typically 1 season.

Fragrance

strong

Deer and rabbits

low

Sécurité

People

All parts of the plant are considered toxic if ingested, especially the seeds.

Children

Keep seeds away from small children as they look like edible peas but are toxic.

Contact allergens

Handling the stems or foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is not typically considered a major allergen for most people.

Edibility

The seeds of this plant contain toxins that can cause lathyrism if consumed in large quantities over time.

Comment l'identifier

• Compound leaves with terminal tendrils
• Small white or purple flowers
• Green pods containing edible seeds
• Climbing habit on thin stems

Height

0.3 to 2m

Spread

0.15 to 0.3m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, purple, pink, 1 to 3cm

Fruit

green, Late spring to early summer

Problèmes courants

• Powdery Mildew — A white fungal growth appears on leaves when air circulation is poor.
• Aphids — Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant juices.

• Pourquoi les feuilles de mes pois de jardin jaunissent-elles ?
• Pourquoi y a-t-il des insectes sur mes pois de jardin ?
• Pourquoi y a-t-il des taches blanches sur les feuilles de mes pois de jardin ?

La cultiver

Propagation

seed

When to plant

early spring, late summer

Overwintering

In most climates, these are grown as annuals and will die back after the first hard frost.

In containers

They grow well in containers at least 12 inches deep provided they have a trellis.

Plant your sweet peas near low growing annuals to shade their roots and keep them cool.

Bonnes associations

• Cornflower — They share similar light and moisture needs while providing a nice color contrast.
• Lavender — Lavender provides a sturdy base for the sweet pea vines to climb.

Espèces similaires

• Everlasting Pea — It is a perennial relative that is much hardier but lacks the strong fragrance.

Science

Family

Fabaceae

Genus

Lathyrus

Order

Fabales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Southern Italy and Sicily.

Conservation

This species is not of conservation concern and is widely cultivated.

It grows as a climbing vine that uses tendrils to reach sunlight in open, scrubby habitats.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

cut flowers, vertical garden interest, fragrant borders

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Can I eat these peas?

No, these are ornamental sweet peas and are toxic if eaten.

Do they need support?

Yes, they are climbing vines that require a trellis or netting to grow well.

D'où vient le nom

Lathyrus comes from the Greek word for a pea or pulse, while odoratus refers to the sweet scent of the flowers.

Bon à savoir

• Sweet peas were a favorite of Victorian gardeners.
• The flowers are known for a scent that is often described as honey and orange blossom.
• They are not actually peas you should eat.