Pea (Lathyrus oleraceus)
Care, watering, light and tips for Pea on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Fabaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
About Pea
Lathyrus oleraceus, commonly known as the common pea, is an annual climbing plant from the Fabaceae family, valued for its edible pods containing sweet and nutritious seeds. Its delicate white or pale purple flowers, along with its vibrant green foliage, make it an excellent addition to home vegetable gardens or as a decorative element in vertical gardens and trellises, where it can gracefully ascend.
Native range
Near East and Central Asia
Care tips
It requires full sun (at least 6 hours daily) and regular, consistent watering, especially during flowering and pod formation, avoiding waterlogging. It prefers well-drained soil, rich in organic matter, and with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. A common mistake is not providing adequate support for climbing, which can limit its growth and production; ensure you install a trellis or stakes from the beginning.
How to save a dying Pea
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or wilting leaves, soft stems, or basal rot. No flowering or pod development.
- First aid
- Check drainage and soil moisture. Ensure direct sunlight and good air circulation.
- What kills it
- Overwatering causing root rot, or lack of support for climbing.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not completely rotted and conditions are corrected.