Sweet pea plants are a species of flowering plant in the legume family. They are native to the Mediterranean region and have been cultivated for centuries for their attractive, fragrant flowers. Sweet peas are annuals, meaning they last for one growing season and must be planted each year. Sweet peas are usually grown as climbers and can reach heights of up to 10 feet, depending on the variety. The flowers come in a range of colors, including white, pink, purple, and red. The plants are easy to grow and require very little care, making them a popular choice for home gardeners.
Planning Your Garden With Sweet Peas
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Sweet peas are annuals. |
| USDA Zone | Sweet peas are hardy in USDA Zones 3-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Sweet peas are generally considered to be hardy in USDA zones 8-10, meaning they can tolerate temperatures down to 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest sweet peas is usually around 60-70 days from sowing the seeds. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown sweet pea plant is 3-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. |
| Spacing requirements | Sweet peas should be planted 4-6 inches apart in rows that are 12-18 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Sweet peas are tolerant of full sun in the spring and early summer, but they prefer partial shade in the hottest part of the day. |
| Shade tolerance | Sweet peas are generally considered to be tolerant of partial shade, but they will produce the most flowers and best growth in full sun. |
| Water requirements | Sweet peas require moist but well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. They should be watered regularly, at least once a week, to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Watering should be done in the morning so that the foliage has time to dry out before nightfall. During periods of hot weather, sweet peas may need to be watered more frequently. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing sweet peas depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 is recommended. Apply 1/2 cup of fertilizer per 10 feet of row, and mix it into the soil before planting. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing sweet peas is 6.0-7.0. |
Why Sweet Peas are Popular
People like to grow sweet peas because they are easy to grow, they have a beautiful fragrance, and they produce an abundance of colorful flowers in the spring and summer. Sweet peas also attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making them a great addition to any garden.
Companion Plants For Sweet Peas
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for sweet peas include:
Common Pests For Sweet Peas
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow sweet peas, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- snails
- slugs
- aphids
- caterpillars
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
