Sweet peas—oh, where do I even begin? These little beauties are like a secret garden treasure: easy to grow, packed with fragrance, and full of charm. If you’re working with a sprawling veggie patch, a small balcony, or just a few pots, sweet peas will happily climb their way into your heart and your garden.
There’s something so special about their delicate flowers and that heady, sweet fragrance that fills the air on warm summer evenings.
If you’re looking for a plant that’s as pretty as it is low-maintenance, sweet peas are a firm favourite.
Plus, they attract all sorts of lovely pollinators, making your garden that much more alive.
Join me, and I’ll show you just how simple it is to grow these fragrant climbers.
Choosing the Right Variety for Your Space
Picking the right variety of sweet pea is key. Here are the main varieties I recommend and why.
Dwarf Varieties
If space is limited, dwarf varieties are your best choice. They stay compact, which makes them perfect for containers or smaller garden beds. Varieties like ‘Cupid’ or ‘Nanus’ are easy to manage and will still give you those lovely blooms without taking over your space.
Traditional Climbers
For those with a bit more room, traditional climbing sweet peas are perfect. These plants can reach 6 to 8 feet tall, making them an excellent choice for trellises, fences, or even teepee structures. Varieties like ‘Old Spice’ or ‘Cupani’ not only offer rich fragrance but also a stunning array of colors that will fill the air with scent.
Picking the Right Variety for Your Conditions
If you’re in a cooler area, some varieties, like ‘Royal Family’ or ‘Beaujolais’, will thrive in the chillier temps of spring and early summer. On the other hand, in warmer climates, sweet peas like ‘King’s High Scent’ can handle the heat better and still bloom beautifully.
No matter which variety you choose, sweet peas will fill your garden with fragrance and beauty.
Just make sure you’re choosing one that fits your space and conditions, and you’re well on your way to growing these lovely climbers.
Where & When to Plant Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are fairly easygoing when it comes to where and when they’re planted. Here’s how I get them off to a great start.
Soil Preparation
Sweet peas thrive in rich, well-drained soil, so it’s worth giving the soil a little extra love. I add compost or well-rotted manure to boost fertility and ensure good drainage. They’re not picky about soil pH, but I aim for a neutral or slightly alkaline mix for the best results.
Choosing the Right Spot
These plants love the sun, so I pick a spot that gets plenty of it. Ideally, sweet peas like at least 4 to 6 hours of full sunlight each day. In hotter climates, they’ll appreciate a bit of afternoon shade to keep them from wilting.
When to Plant
- In cooler areas, plant them as soon as the soil is workable in early spring, before the last frost.
- In warmer regions, you can plant them in early spring as well, or even try a second planting in late autumn to take advantage of milder temperatures.
Spacing
When planting sweet peas, I make sure to space them about 6 to 8 inches apart to give them room to spread out and climb. If planting them along a trellis or fence, I aim for a bit more space to help them reach their full height.
How to Support Your Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are natural climbers, so they’ll need some support to reach their full potential. Here’s how I keep them growing strong and looking their best.
Trellises & Supports
A good support system is important. If you’re using a wooden trellis, a metal obelisk, or even a simple string tied between two posts, giving them something to climb will help them flourish.
I make my supports sturdy enough to handle their growth, as they can get quite tall and heavy when in full bloom, and if it rains, they obviously get a little heavier.
DIY Support Ideas
If you’re up for a little DIY, you can create simple supports with bamboo stakes or even repurpose old garden netting. Sweet peas will naturally wind around these, so you don’t need to worry too much about tying them up manually, but a little help early on will keep them in place.
Avoiding Damage
Sweet peas are pretty resilient, but they do need a little care. In windy conditions, their stems can snap, so I make sure they’re secured. If you notice any stems leaning awkwardly or starting to flop over, use some soft twine or string to gently tie them to the support. This will help them grow upright without snapping.
Encouraging Vertical Growth
As sweet peas grow taller, you might need to give them a bit of a hand. Gently guide their tendrils toward the support if they seem to be veering off course. Sweet peas are fast learners and will cling to whatever support is on offer.
Watering & Care: Keeping Them Happy
Sweet peas are pretty straightforward when it comes to care, but a few simple steps will help them thrive and deliver those stunning blooms.
Watering Tips
They like consistent moisture, but they don’t want to sit in water. I keep the soil evenly moist, not soggy. A good rule of thumb is to water them deeply once a week, especially if the weather’s been dry.
If you’re in a particularly hot spot, you may need to water more frequently, but I always check the soil first. If the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water.
Feeding
Sweet peas aren’t heavy feeders, but a little boost goes a long way. Once they start climbing, you can feed them with an organic fertilizer. A balanced feed will help promote strong growth and plenty of flowers.
But it’s easy to overdo it; too much fertilizer can lead to all leaves and no blooms. I use compost, which is enough to keep them happy through most of the growing season.
Pruning
Pruning encourages more flowers. Pinch off the growing tips early on to encourage branching and more flowers later. Once they’re in full bloom, deadheading the spent flowers will help keep the plant tidy and ensure it continues to produce new blooms.
Pests & Problems
Sweet peas are generally pest-resistant, but a few common garden critters like aphids and slugs may show up. If you notice aphids, a quick spray with water can usually knock them off.
For slugs, try setting up some traps or using organic slug pellets to keep them in check. If you see yellowing leaves, check the soil to ensure it’s not too soggy, as this can lead to root rot.
Harvesting & Enjoying Your Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are not just easy on the eyes—they’re perfect for cutting and bringing indoors, too. Here’s how to enjoy your blooms and make the most of them.
When to Harvest
Sweet peas bloom over a period of weeks, so there’s no rush to harvest them all at once. You want to pick them when the flowers are fully open, but still fresh, before they start wilting. Gently pinch or cut the stems just above a pair of leaves to encourage more flowers to bloom.
Cutting for Bouquets
Sweet peas make beautiful additions to floral arrangements. When cutting them for a vase, I use a sharp pair of scissors or garden snips to avoid crushing the delicate stems.
To keep them fresh longer, I place them in water right away and change the water every few days.
Sweet peas will fill your home with their fragrance, making them perfect for bringing a touch of the garden inside.
Saving Seeds for Next Year
If you want to grow sweet peas again next year, saving seeds is a simple process. Let a few of your flowers go to seed at the end of the season. Once the pods are dry, carefully collect the seeds and store them in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to plant.
I label them by variety, making it easier to track which seeds you’re planting next season.
Sweet peas are one of those flowers that just keep giving—first with their beauty and fragrance, and later with the opportunity to grow them again. I love them!
Troubleshooting
Even the most reliable plants can face a few hiccups along the way. Here are some common issues with sweet peas and how to fix them.
Why Are My Sweet Peas Not Flowering?
If your sweet peas are growing strong but not producing flowers, it’s usually down to a few factors. One common issue is too much nitrogen. While sweet peas like fertile soil, too much nitrogen can lead to lush green growth with fewer blooms.
If you think this is the case, stop fertilizing. Another reason could be a lack of sunlight—sweet peas need plenty of sun to bloom. If they’re not getting enough light, try relocating them to a sunnier spot or trimming back any overhanging branches that may be blocking their light.
Stunted Growth or Yellow Leaves
Yellowing leaves or stunted growth can be a sign of overwatering, poor drainage, or nutrient deficiency. Check the soil—if it’s soggy or compacted, it could be holding too much water.
Sweet peas prefer soil that drains well. If the soil’s too wet, consider moving your sweet peas to a better-draining spot or amending the soil with some sand or grit.
If it’s not a watering issue, it could be a nutrient problem. Sweet peas do well with compost, but if the soil is low in nutrients, adding a balanced fertilizer can help.
Pests and Diseases
Aphids are the usual suspects when it comes to sweet pea pests. They can quickly infest young shoots and flowers. If you spot them, hose them off with a strong jet of water or use an organic insecticidal soap.
Watch for slugs and snails, especially when the plants are young.
These pests love to munch on tender leaves, so using slug pellets (organic variety) or even more organic, egg shells, which are effective, but shells break down quickly, so you will need to replenish often. You can also use beer traps – but I find seaweed barriers the best.
Wilting or Drooping Plants
If your sweet peas are wilting despite regular watering, it could be a sign of root rot caused by overwatering or poor drainage.
Check that the soil drains well and avoid watering too frequently. If the problem persists, try lifting the plant gently to inspect the roots for rot—if it’s really bad, you may need to remove the plant to avoid spreading the issue.
Tara’s Sweet Pea Secrets
Before you go, here are a few quick tips from me to make sure your sweet peas stay healthy and thrive all season long.
- Keep Soil Well-Drained – Sweet peas love moisture but don’t like sitting in soggy soil. Make sure your soil drains well to prevent root rot.
- Plant Early for Best Results – For the best blooms, plant sweet peas early in the season, just after the last frost in your area.
- Deadhead Regularly – Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms and keep the plant looking neat.
- Support from the Start – Give your sweet peas something to climb on early. They’ll quickly start growing towards any support you provide.
- Save Seeds – Don’t forget to collect seeds from your best plants at the end of the season for next year’s crop. They’ll grow just as strong the second time around!
Sweet peas are a firm favourite in my garden, I’ll bet they will be in yours too.
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See you in the garden,
—Tara 🌿
- About the Author
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Tara Cunningham is the green-thumbed half of Lawnmowerfixed.com, where she shares simple, no-fuss gardening tips for time-poor homeowners.
She’s a lifelong plant lover with a soft spot for cherry tomatoes, shady corners, and low-maintenance herbs.