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Sweet peas are among the UK’s best-loved summer flowers, valued for their colourful blooms, rich fragrance and long flowering season. Easy to grow from seed, they bring height, colour and scent to beds, borders and containers.
This guide explains how to sow, grow and care for sweet peas, with practical advice to help you produce healthy plants and enjoy flowers throughout the summer.
Sweet peas are grown for their colourful flowers, sweet fragrance and long flowering season. Their climbing habit also makes them ideal for adding height to fences, arches and trellises. Sweet peas are grown for their:
While most sweet peas are grown as annuals, there are also some perennial varieties available for gardeners looking for long-lasting structure and colour.
Although they share the same common name, annual and perennial sweet peas have different growing habits. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right plant for your garden.
Perennial Sweet Peas (Lathyrus latifolius)
Annual Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
Sweet peas thrive in a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged. Regular watering, feeding and picking will encourage the strongest flowering display.
Sweet pea seeds have a hard outer coating, so preparing them properly before sowing helps improve germination and encourages stronger, healthier plants.
Soaking sweet pea seeds in lukewarm water overnight can help soften the seed coat and encourage germination. Sow the seeds the following day.
Sweet peas have long, delicate roots that dislike being disturbed. Biodegradable pots let you plant young seedlings straight into the ground without removing them from the container.
Good options include:
The pots gradually break down in the soil, helping roots establish quickly while reducing transplant shock.
Expert Tip – Plant biodegradable pots slightly below soil level to prevent the exposed rim from drying out and drawing moisture away from the roots.
In milder areas, sweet peas can also be sown directly into prepared soil outdoors once temperatures begin to warm in spring.
Sweet peas perform best in fertile, nutrient-rich soil. Before planting outdoors, dig plenty of garden compost or well-rotted manure into the soil and improve drainage if necessary.
Install supports before planting to avoid disturbing the roots later. Sweet peas climb using delicate tendrils, so they need a sturdy framework to cling to as they grow.
Popular options include:
As the stems lengthen, gently tie them in if needed. The tendrils will soon wrap around the support naturally. A strong support system encourages healthy growth, keeps flowers off the ground, and makes picking blooms much easier.
Sweet peas are thirsty, hungry plants during the growing season. Providing plenty of water, regular feeds and removing flowers before seed pods develop will help keep plants vigorous and extend the flowering season.
Once flowering begins:
To keep plants blooming:
These additional tips will help keep your sweet peas healthy, productive and flowering for longer
Avoid overcrowding plants to reduce mildew and fungal problems.
Sweet peas attract:
They are an excellent addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.
Avoid growing sweet seas in the same position every year to reduce soil-borne diseases.
Removing spent flowers keeps plants tidy and encourages continuous blooming well into late summer.
Sweet peas are a classic cottage garden favourite, bringing colour, fragrance and graceful climbing flowers to gardens throughout the summer. With a little preparation and regular care, they’re easy to grow and rewarding to pick.
Visit us in Kington to browse our range of sweet pea seeds, climbing supports, compost and growing essentials. Our team is always happy to help you choose the right varieties and offer practical advice for a successful display.
