Aftabbanoori / CC BY-SA 3.0
garden
Sweet pea
Overview
Climbing annuals that produce some of the most intensely fragrant flowers in the garden, sweet peas have been bred since the 17th century for their exquisite scent and ruffled blooms. They come in an artist's palette of pastels and bicolors, and the more you cut them, the more they bloom. Despite the name, sweet peas are NOT edible — they contain toxic amino acids and should never be eaten.
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH7 — 7.5
Soil TypeRich, deep, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil with plenty of compost
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Direct Sow | May — May | Direct sow as early as soil is workable; nick or soak seeds overnight |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | Jun — Aug | Pick flowers daily to extend bloom; fragrant cut flower |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | Mar — Apr | Sow early spring; soak seeds 24 hours before planting |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | May — Jul | Harvest frequently; stops blooming if pods form |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Feb — Mar | Sow in late winter; provide trellis or netting for climbing |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Apr — Jun | Pick daily for longest bloom; dies in summer heat |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Oct — Nov | Fall sow for spring bloom; needs cool temps below 65°F |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Feb — Apr | Spring bloom from fall sowing; harvest before heat |
| Hot (10+) | Direct Sow | Nov — Dec | Sow in late fall; blooms late winter/early spring |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Jan — Mar | Winter/early spring bloom; very fragrant |
Uses
Other Uses
- Exceptional fragrant cut flower — cutting encourages more blooms
- Classic cottage garden climbing annual
- Cool-season vertical interest on trellises and obelisks
