I don’t know how a little flower from Sicily that grows on trees came to smell like cotton candy, but the humble sweet pea has done it. I think you should grow sweet peas if a seagull took both of your eyes and flew off with them. You can forget vision! When you live in the same universe as the Sweet Pea, olfaction is king!.
These sweet-smelling flowers come in a wide range of colors, including mottled pastels, striped reds and purples, salmon pink, and pure white with ruffles. They have long, thin stems that make them easy to pick. Sweet peas epitomise spring, ushering in seasons of cloudless skies and warm weather. They’re easy to grow, but harder to get just right. If you take the time to water them regularly, you’ll have weeks of flowers and a garden that smells like a perfumery.
Clearly I’m a bit obsessed. So no one could blame you for assuming that I’d be a pro at growing sweet peas.
Unfortunately, not so much. They have always grown well in my garden, but I have never had the tumbling flood of blooms I had hoped for. However, for my sweet peas to really grow well, I need to do a few things that I haven’t always been good at: plan ahead and get ready. The great thing about gardening is that we can get better at it season by season, and each year is a fresh start. This year I’m ready for it – I’m going to perfect the sweet pea.
I used the internet to find old wives’ tales, science-based tips, and random wise sayings. Now I think I understand it. Here are some of the best tips and tricks I could find on the internet for growing sweet peas. I hope they help you get better too!
Growing sweet peas in containers is an excellent way to add beautiful fragrance and color to your patio, balcony or small garden. With some simple tips, you can have a bountiful harvest of these delightful flowers even in limited space.
Getting Started
To successfully grow sweet peas in pots, follow these steps:
Choose the Right Variety
Look for dwarf, bush or patio varieties that grow to around 2 feet tall. Popular container-friendly options include ‘Bush Sweet Pea’, ‘Cupani’ and ‘Midget’ Avoid heavy climbing varieties.
Use Deep Pots
Select containers at least 8-12 inches deep to accommodate the long taproots. Shallow pots will restrict growth. Add drainage holes if needed.
Prepare the Soil
Sweet peas need nutrient-rich soil Use a quality potting mix amended with compost or manure, Moisten before planting
Sow Seeds
Plant 2-3 seeds per pot, 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart. Soaking seeds 24 hours before planting can speed germination.
Support Growth
Add twigs small trellises or other structures for tendrils to climb once they sprout.
Ongoing Care
To keep container sweet peas thriving:
Water Regularly
Sweet peas require consistently moist soil. Water when the top inch becomes dry. Adding mulch helps retain moisture.
Fertilize Lightly
Unlike garden peas, sweet peas don’t need much fertilizer. Occasionally use a balanced organic fertilizer. Avoid high-nitrogen formulas.
Provide Sunlight
Place pots in full sun. At least 6 hours of direct sun per day is ideal. Dappled shade is okay.
Stake Stems
Gently tie stems to supports as needed. Sweet pea tendrils don’t always attach on their own.
Prune Flowers
Pinching off spent blooms encourages more flowering. Deadhead faded flowers regularly.
Pick Often
The more you pick, the more buds will form. Harvest frequently for continual blooms.
Watch for Pests
Check under leaves for aphids, mites and other common pests. Use organic sprays if needed.
Troubleshooting Issues
If problems arise, here are some likely causes and solutions:
Leggy Growth
Cause: Insufficient light.
Fix: Move pot to sunnier location.
Poor Flowering
Cause: Overfertilization or nitrogen-heavy soil.
Fix: Avoid excess fertilizer and manure.
Wilting Leaves
Cause: Underwatering or dry soil.
Fix: Water thoroughly when top inch of soil is dry. Mulch to retain moisture.
White Spots on Leaves
Cause: Powdery mildew fungus.
Fix: Improve air circulation. Use neem oil or sulfur sprays.
Curled Leaves
Cause: Aphids or other pests.
Fix: Check undersides of leaves and spray with insecticidal soap if needed.
Vine Dieback
Cause: Root rot from overwatering.
Fix: Allow soil to dry between waterings. Discard severely affected plants.
Final Tips
Follow these last pieces of advice for fabulous container sweet peas:
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Start seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before your last spring frost for earlier blooms.
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In hot climates, provide afternoon shade if possible.
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Add climbing supports early so tendrils can attach as they grow.
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Grow different varieties together for a colorful bouquet effect.
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Bring cut stems indoors to enjoy the lovely fragrance.
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At season’s end, collect dried pods for saving seeds.
With the right care, your potted sweet peas will reward you with armloads of exquisite, scented blooms to grace your patio or deck with beauty and charm. Enjoy!
Pinch them out (even though it feels wrong!)
As soon as the plants are about 15 cm tall (or the stems have grown long enough to have four sets of leaves), pinch off the very tip of each sweet pea. It is better for sweet peas to grow more side shoots than one vertical shoot when you pinch them out. This leads to dense and bushy plants. Even though it might be hard, most growers say that you should cut off the tips of the sweet pea seedlings you’ve been taking such good care of if you want to get dense, lush plants with lots of flowers.
You can also ignore advice to ‘scarify’ or soak sweet pea seeds before sowing
There is a lot of information online that says you should either “scarify” (scratch) the hard shell of sweet pea seeds before planting them or soak the seeds overnight before planting them. During my research, I came across this advice a lot of times. However, some people I trust more than Joe Blogs and his gardening blog disagreed with it. These people are the legendary Monty Don and Dr. Keith Hammet, a sweet pea expert from New Zealand who is responsible for breeding many of the fragrant cultivars sold around the world today. They said not to bother with all that fiddly nonsense, so I won’t!.
Soaking and scarifying the seeds can also do more harm than good. Soaking seeds can cut them off from oxygen and kill them before they sprout, and scratching the wrong part of the seed can damage it beyond repair.
Here’s how you can grow sweet peas in pots and create whimsical trellises for your cottage garden!
FAQ
What is the secret to growing sweet peas?
How many sweet peas to a container?
Do sweet peas do well in pots?
Do sweet peas need to climb?
Can sweet peas grow in containers?
Though standard sweet pea shrubs are fairly large plants, it is not uncommon to grow them in patio containers. The plant is amenable to hard pruning, which allows it to remain a nicely trained container plant. Ordinary commercial potting soil works well as a growing medium for containers.
How do you grow sweet peas in pots?
Sticks can be inserted into pots when utilizing pots so that when the sweet peas grow, their tendrils can cling to the sticks. In my pots, I simply used twigs; you can see them in the image above. A modest trellis or chicken wire are other options. As they get higher, your sweet peas will require a little help.
How to grow sweet peas from seeds?
The sweet pea requires moist soil with excellent drainage. Give your sweet pea plants elbow room to promote good air circulation. Mulch around the base of the plant to keep the roots cool. Your sweet pea plants will need a support. Provide the support when you plant the seeds or transplants.