Sweet Pea

Common Name: Sweet Pea

Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus

When to Sow: Early Summer to late Autumn

Planting Position: Prepare the soil well and if damp when sowing, additional watering is not usually required until plants are established

Days to Germinate: 10-14 days

Flowers in: 12-14 weeks

Lifespan: Annual - Lasts one year

Fertilise: Feed seedlings fortnightly with a soluble liquid fertiliser

Did you know?

Often we say remove the weaker seedlings to give the stronger seedlings more space to grow. However, when we are growing a mix of colours within the same variety it is important to keep a range of weak and strong seedlings to provide a good mix of colours.

Sweet peas flowers or pods cannot be eaten

With the growing interest in edible flowers, it is very important to be specific with the name. Although garden peas, (Pisum sativum) and snow peas are edible, sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are poisonous - especially the flowers and seeds.

About Sweet Peas: 

Tips for growing: Train young plants up a fence or wall, or support with sticks and netting. 

Bee & Butterfly Friendly - sweet peas attract: bees, butterflies and insects to the garden with their colourful fragrant blooms.

Like other pea family members, they also fix nitrogen into the soil and so they benefit a wide range of vegetables such as brassicas, leafy greens like silverbeet and spinach and salads.