How to Grow Sweet Pea in Australia
A cool-season flower crop for the home garden
Growing your own Sweet Pea is one of the more satisfying things you can do in an Australian backyard. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$8-15/bunch on cut flowers, one packet of seeds provides months of fragrant blooms.
This guide covers when to plant Sweet Pea in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Sweet Pea is a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May and June. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Old Spice Mix
Heirloom blend with the strongest fragrance. Shorter stems than moderns but unbeatable scent.
Try: Eden Seeds, Diggers, Mr Fothergill's
Mammoth Mix
Long-stemmed Spencer type in a wide colour range. The standard cut-flower sweet pea.
Try: Yates, Mr Fothergill's, Bunnings
Position and Soil
Give Sweet Pea full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6.5 to 7.5. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 30cm+ with trellis, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 2 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 15 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 10 days, fastest when the soil is between 10 and 18 degrees.
Lathyrus odoratus. Cool season annual climbing flower prized for its intense fragrance. One of the best cut flowers for the home garden. Needs a trellis, teepee or fence to climb. Sow March to June in SEQ. Pick flowers regularly to keep the plant producing. Not edible (unlike edible peas). Frost tolerant and thrives in cooler months. Soak seeds overnight before sowing for faster germination.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 4 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Aphids, Slugs and Snails. The main diseases to watch are Powdery mildew and Root rot. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Sweet Pea is typically ready to harvest in around 75 days (about 2 months). Cut flowers last 5-7 days in a vase. Pick regularly to extend flowering season.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, sweet pea is good not edible, grown for fragrance and cut flowers only. Nutritionally: attracts pollinators and beneficial insects and provides fragrant cut flowers for wellbeing.
Companion Planting
Sweet Pea grows well alongside Beans and Lettuce. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Sweet Pea Growing
Add sweet pea to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sweet Pea in Australia?
Sweet Pea is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May and June. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Sweet Pea take to grow?
Sweet Pea is generally ready to harvest in around 75 days (about 2 months).
Can I grow Sweet Pea in a pot?
Yes. Sweet Pea grows well in a container of 30cm+ with trellis with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Sweet Pea need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Sweet Pea in the Plant Library
