Sweet Pea Mix produces fragrant, pea-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, red and white. Its slender vines climb using curling tendrils, making the plant suitable for balcony grills, fences, arches and trellises. The scented flowers can also be cut for small bouquets.

Native to Sicily, southern Italy and nearby Mediterranean areas, Sweet Pea grows best during cool weather. In Pakistan, it develops through winter and produces its main flower display from late winter into spring.

Why Grow It

• Sweet Fragrance: The flowers release a pleasant scent, especially during cool weather.
• Mixed Colours: One packet produces blooms in several bright and soft shades.
• Climbing Growth: Vines cover grills, fences, nets and narrow trellises.
• Cut Flowers: Regular cutting provides fragrant stems for small arrangements.

Best Conditions

• Germination: Usually 10–21 days
• Temperature: Around 13–21°C
• Sunlight: At least 6 hours
• Pot size: A 12–14-inch-wide pot, at least 12 inches deep
• Spacing: About 6–8 inches between plants
• Plant height: Usually around 5–7 feet
• Support: A trellis, net, fence or balcony grill
• Soil: Fertile, moist and well-draining mix

In Lahore, Faisalabad, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, sow from late September to November. In hotter areas such as Karachi and southern Punjab, sow from October to December after the strongest summer heat has eased. In colder northern and hilly areas, start seeds in protected pots from February to March, then place them outside after the risk of hard frost has passed.

How to Sow

Sweet Pea is easiest to sow in its final pot or flower bed near a support. Its roots do not like unnecessary disturbance after becoming established.

1. Soak the seeds in room-temperature water for 12–24 hours.
2. Fill the final pot or prepare the bed with moist, well-draining soil.
3. Make holes around ½ inch deep near the chosen climbing support.
4. Place one seed in each hole, leaving 6–8 inches between them.
5. Cover the seeds and water the soil gently using a fine spray.
6. Keep the soil lightly moist and guide young vines towards the support.

Plant Care

Water when the upper layer of the soil begins to dry. Sweet Pea grows best with fairly even moisture, especially while forming buds, but its roots should never remain waterlogged. Water near the soil early in the day.

Mix a small amount of Vermicompost into the soil before sowing. Once buds begin forming, apply Flower Fertilizer according to the label. If aphids gather around the tender tips, spray Neem Oil on the affected growth, avoiding open flowers.

Local Gardener Tips

• Install the climbing support before the vines become long and tangled.
• Pinch the main tip at 6–8 inches to encourage more flowering branches.
• Give plants full winter sun and shade the pot as spring becomes warmer.
• Cut flowers regularly and remove seedpods to keep new buds developing.

Flowering

Plants usually begin flowering around 12–16 weeks after sowing. The vines continue producing flowers while temperatures remain cool and faded blooms or developing seedpods are removed.

For vases, cut stems early in the morning when the lower flowers have opened and the upper buds are still closed. Place them in clean water soon after cutting.

FAQs

Why is my Sweet Pea climbing but producing few flowers?

Insufficient sunlight or excessive nitrogen can produce long leafy vines with fewer buds. Provide more direct sunlight and avoid applying fertilizer too heavily.

Why has flowering stopped as spring becomes warmer?

Sweet Pea prefers cool weather and naturally slows down as temperatures rise. Keep the roots cool, water regularly and remove seedpods, but the plant will eventually finish its season during hot weather.

Common names: Sweet Pea Tall Mix, Sweet Pea, Fragrant Sweet Pea, Garden Sweet Pea, Gul Matar, Lathyrus odoratus, گل مٹر