How to Grow Sweet Peas for Cut Flowers: A Guide to Stunning Blooms
Sweet peas are a nostalgic favorite, beloved for their intoxicating fragrance and delicate blooms. These spring beauties are not only a sensory delight but also a valuable crop for local flower farmers. With a fleeting vase life and sensitivity to shipping, sweet peas are perfectly suited for growers catering to local markets and event florals.
From selecting varieties to mastering growing techniques, this guide will help you cultivate thriving sweet pea plants and produce stunning blooms that captivate your customers.
Harvesting creamy Jilly sweet peas in a beautifully trellised sweet pea patch
Why Grow Sweet Peas?
Sweet peas bring a timeless charm to any flower field, enchanting growers and customers alike. Their heady fragrance, ruffled petals, and nostalgic allure make them a highly coveted addition to spring bouquets and event florals.
Key Reasons to Grow Sweet Peas:
Intoxicating Fragrance: Sweet peas evoke memories and emotions, creating a sensory experience for customers that’s hard to replicate.
High Market Value: As a specialty flower with a fleeting vase life, sweet peas are ideal for local growers who can offer fresh-cut blooms.
Prolific Producers: Once established, sweet peas yield abundant stems over their growing season, maximizing profitability for growers.
Customer Connection: Many customers associate sweet peas with gardens of the past, making them an emotional and sentimental purchase.
Beyond their market appeal, sweet peas hold a special place on our farm. From watching hummingbird moths dart among the blooms to sharing tea parties in their shade, these flowers create cherished memories for our family. Their beauty and scent will forever be tied to the joy of spring and early summer.
Ready to decide if sweet peas are right for your farm? Check out our blog, Getting Started with Crop Planning: Choosing the Right Flowers for Your Farm, to learn how to select flowers that fit your goals and market needs.
Organizing sweet pea seedlings in Bootstrap Farmer trays inside a DIY propagation house.
When to Start Sweet Peas
Timing is everything when it comes to sweet peas. These cool-season plants thrive in lower temperatures and can handle frost, but their success depends on proper timing based on your climate and growing setup.
General Guidelines:
Fall Planting: Start sweet peas in mid-to-late summer and transplant by late September. This method gives plants time to develop strong roots before frost sets in. Protect with double low tunnels or frost cloth to overwinter.
Winter Planting: Begin seeds in early January and transplant them into the field by February under protection.
Succession Planting: For extended harvests, sow successions every 3–4 weeks through late winter.
Key Considerations by Zone:
Zones 7 and Warmer: Fall planting is ideal. Plants can overwinter with minimal protection and bloom early in spring.
Zones 6 and Colder: Overwintering can be risky. Focus on winter planting for early spring transplanting. Protect transplants with frost cloth or double low tunnels.
Microclimate Tips: Utilize south-facing walls, raised beds, or sheltered areas to enhance early-season growth and frost protection.
Want to learn more about how your zone affects flower growing?
Check out our guide on Growing Flowers by USDA Zone over at Bootstrap Farmer for tailored insights based on your region.
Pro Tips:
Fall-Planted Advantage: Sweet peas planted in fall develop stronger roots, making them more resilient against frost damage. Even if foliage dies back, established plants can regrow in spring.
Shading for Warm Zones: If growing in warmer climates, use shade cloth to protect plants as temperatures rise in late spring or summer.
Correct Transplant Depth: Ensure transplants are set with their crowns slightly above soil level to prevent rot.
Want to dive deeper into timing and techniques? Learn more about planting schedules in our blog, When to Plant: Frost Dates, Soil Temps, and Timing.
Preparing sweet pea seeds for germination by soaking them in mason jars.
Starting and Germinating Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are typically propagated from seed and are surprisingly easy to start with the right techniques. These heavy feeders love nutrient-rich soil and thrive in cooler conditions, making their early growth phase crucial for success.
What You’ll Need:
Quality sweet pea seeds
High-quality potting soil with good drainage (look for plenty of perlite)
Deep-cell trays (such as root trainers), 4-inch pots, or large soil blockers
A minimally heated greenhouse, grow lights, or a full-sun propagation area
Pre-Soaking Seeds:
There’s some debate about whether sweet pea seeds should be pre-soaked. In our experience, soaking seeds in room temperature water for 8–12 hours improves germination rates, particularly for seeds with harder shells. However, some growers skip this step to avoid potential rot or fungal issues.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure whether to soak your seeds, follow the instructions provided by your seed supplier. Their recommendations are often based on the age and preparation of the seeds they sell.
Tip: Place water-proof labels in with soaking seeds with their variety name written in pencil.
Sowing and Germinating Sweet Peas:
Sowing Tips: Sow seeds twice their size in depth, roughly 1/4–1/2 inch deep. Use potting soil instead of a peat-based seed-starting mix for its added nutrients. Water gently to ensure consistent moisture without dislodging seeds.
Temperature: Sweet peas germinate best in cool conditions, around 55°F. Avoid overly warm setups, as these can cause leggy, weak seedlings.
Ventilation: Ensure good air circulation, especially if using grow lights or heated spaces, to prevent disease and promote healthy growth.
New to seed starting? Check out our comprehensive Seed Starting Guide for tips and tricks to help you master the process from the very beginning!
Encouraging Healthy Growth:
Slow and Steady: Sweet peas thrive in cooler conditions, which promote slower, healthier growth and stronger root systems.
Branching: If your plants aren’t naturally branching, pinch them when they reach 4–6 inches tall. This encourages bushier growth and more flowers.
Pro Tip: Sweet peas dislike being transplanted multiple times. Use deep trays or pots to give them enough room to develop roots before planting out.
Alternative Method: Cutting Propagation
Sweet peas can also be propagated through cuttings, a great option for specialty varieties with lower seed production. To propagate by cuttings:
Take a 4–6 inch cutting from a healthy, mature plant.
Remove lower leaves and dip the stem in rooting hormone.
Plant in a well-draining substrate and maintain high humidity until roots develop.
Need help getting started?
Explore our Seed Starting Supplies blog for recommendations and tips on sourcing everything you need.
Looking for the perfect trays? Check out our favorite 4-cell inserts to make transplanting a breeze.
Planting sweet pea seedlings with precision using a hori knife.
Planting Sweet Peas
Once your sweet pea starts are ready, it’s time to plant them out. Timing is critical to ensure they thrive in the cooler temperatures they love.
When to Plant:
Ideal Timing: Plant sweet peas outdoors when the soil is cool but workable, typically in March or April for most areas. For fall planting, aim for late September to allow plants to establish roots before frost.
Hardening Off: Gradually expose seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7–10 days before planting to prevent sun scald or transplant shock.
Spacing and Layout:
Space plants 8 inches apart in rows. We use a double-row bed system for efficient use of space while maintaining good air circulation.
Sweet peas are vines and will need trellising. Plan for this when setting up your planting beds.
Want to perfect your transplanting process?
Check out our Transplanting Seedlings Guide for tips on soil preparation, hardening off, and successful planting techniques!
Light Requirements:
Sweet peas love full sun, especially varieties like Mammoth and Spencer. Aim for at least 6–8 hours of sunlightdaily. In warmer regions, provide some afternoon shade to prevent heat stress.
Protecting Against Frost and Wind:
In colder climates, use frost cloth or double low tunnels to protect newly transplanted seedlings from late frosts.
For areas with strong winds, trellising plants properly will help them withstand damage.
Soil Preparation:
Work compost into the soil before planting, as sweet peas are heavy feeders.
If using weed cloth, opt for white fabric to keep the soil cooler, as black cloth may warm the soil too much.
Consider companion planting with calendula or using organic mulch to shade the sweet pea roots naturally and retain moisture.
Watering and Fertilization
Sweet peas are heavy drinkers and require consistent moisture to thrive, especially in arid climates. While they don’t tolerate being waterlogged, ensuring they receive enough water is critical for their health and productivity.
Watering Tips:
Use drip irrigation to deliver consistent moisture directly to the roots while avoiding wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease.
If you struggle with keeping up with watering demands, weed cloth can be a game-changer. It retains soil moisture, reduces evaporation, and has significantly improved the health and yield of our sweet pea crops.
Fertilization Tips:
Sweet peas are heavy feeders and benefit from weekly applications of a balanced fertilizer like fish emulsion to encourage vigorous growth.
If your plants are producing excessive foliage but few blooms, switch to a phosphorus-rich fertilizer to promote flowering.
In arid climates, where salt build-up from fertilizers can become an issue, periodically flush the soil with a product like yucca saponin. This enhances hydration and nutrient uptake while preventing salt stress.
Pro Tip: Combining weed cloth with a drip irrigation system not only ensures sweet peas stay hydrated but also significantly reduces weeding and improves crop productivity.
Ready to optimize your setup?
Check out our favorite Weed Cloth to retain moisture and keep your beds healthy.
Learn more about using season extension techniques in our Season Extension Blog for even greater results.
Sweet pea rows flourishing with the support of Hortanova and corral trellising.
Trellising Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are vigorous climbers and require sturdy support to grow tall and produce the long, straight stems ideal for cut flowers. We use a combination of vertical trellising and corral trellising to keep plants upright, prevent tangling, and reduce damage from wind or rain.
Our Trellising Method:
Vertical Trellising:
We use Hortanova Trellis attached to T-posts or hoops for strong vertical support. This encourages sweet peas to climb naturally and helps maintain an organized, productive patch.
As the plants grow taller, we secure the vines to the trellis with baling twine to prevent leaning or sagging.
Corral Trellising:
In addition to vertical netting, we wrap twine horizontally around the patch at multiple heights, creating a corral-like structure. This adds stability, especially during high winds, and keeps the plants climbing upward.
Pro Tip: Trellising inside high tunnels can provide dual benefits of structural support and protection from temperature fluctuations. For field-grown sweet peas, the combined vertical and corral trellising method ensures plants remain upright and productive throughout the season.
Set up your trellising system today!
Explore Hortanova Trellis for a robust and efficient support system, and consider investing in a High Tunnel to protect your sweet peas and extend their growing season.
Pests, Diseases, and Management
Sweet peas are resilient plants but can face challenges from pests and diseases, particularly in specific climates. Early identification and proactive management are key to maintaining healthy, productive plants.
Common Pests:
Thrips: Tiny insects that damage flowers and buds, causing discoloration and deformities. Use sticky traps to monitor populations and apply spinosad or insecticidal soap as needed.
Aphids: Often found on young growth, aphids weaken plants by sucking sap. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap for severe infestations.
Spider Mites: Common in hot, dry conditions. Spray foliage with water to disrupt them, and use neem oil or horticultural oil for control.
Whiteflies: Cause stunted growth and leaf yellowing. Use yellow sticky traps and insecticidal soap for management.
Cutworms: Attack seedlings at the base. Protect plants with collars or apply beneficial nematodes to control larvae.
Snails and Slugs: Particularly problematic in wet conditions. Use iron phosphate baits or hand-pick during the evening.
Disease Management:
Powdery Mildew: Appears as a white powder on leaves in humid conditions. Increase airflow, avoid overhead watering, and apply a sulfur-based fungicide if necessary.
Root Rot: Caused by overwatering or poorly drained soil. Ensure proper drainage and avoid waterlogged conditions.
Fusarium Wilt: A soil-borne disease causing yellowing and wilting. Practice crop rotation and consider resistant varieties.
Botrytis Blight: A gray mold that thrives in wet weather. Remove affected plant material, ensure proper trellising, and avoid wetting foliage during watering.
Preventative Practices:
Keeping sweet peas healthy starts with proactive measures to minimize stress, pests, and diseases.
Weed Management: Maintain clean beds to minimize pest habitats and competition for nutrients. Using weed cloth helps suppress weeds and keeps beds tidy.
Airflow: Space plants adequately and trellis properly to improve airflow and reduce disease risk.
Soil Health: Conduct soil tests regularly and amend as needed. Avoid excessive manure, which can increase soil salinity and stress plants.
Sanitation: Remove dead or diseased plant material promptly to prevent the spread of pathogens.
Companion Planting: Consider planting marigolds or nasturtiums nearby to deter pests naturally.
Shade Cloth: In hot climates or during sudden heat waves, shade cloth can protect plants from stress and reduce pest pressures like spider mites, which thrive in dry conditions.
Crop Rotation: Sweet peas are heavy feeders and susceptible to soil-borne diseases like fusarium wilt. Rotate their planting location annually to avoid soil fatigue and reduce pathogen build-up.
Pro Tip: Create a crop rotation plan to pair sweet peas with soil-enriching cover crops like clover or winter rye for long-term soil health.
Take your crop planning to the next level! Check out our Advanced Crop Planning Blog for tips on rotation, succession planting, and maximizing your farm’s productivity.
Stress Indicators:
Plants under stress are more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Look for early warning signs such as:
Wilting, even with adequate watering.
Yellowing or browning leaves.
Stunted growth or weak stems.
Address stressors promptly by adjusting watering, amending soil, or providing shade during extreme weather.
Pro Tip: Incorporate integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, such as monitoring pest populations, introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs or predatory mites, and using targeted interventions to maintain a balanced ecosystem.
Protect your sweet peas from heat stress! Explore Shade Cloth for an easy and effective way to keep plants healthy during the growing season.
Harvesting Bristol sweet peas with care through Hortanova netting.
Harvesting and Post-Handling
Sweet peas are a fleeting treasure in the cut flower world, but with proper harvesting and post-handling techniques, you can maximize their vase life and overall quality.
Harvesting Tips:
Timing: Harvest sweet peas when 1–2 blooms on the stem are open for the best vase life. Avoid harvesting fully opened flowers, as they are closer to the end of their lifespan.
Frequency: During peak production, sweet peas may need to be harvested multiple times a day to keep up with their prolific blooming.
Cutting Technique: Use sharp, sanitized snips to make clean cuts and minimize damage to the plant. Include a portion of the vine to extend vase life and add visual interest to arrangements.
Post-Handling Tips:
Immediate Hydration: Place freshly harvested stems into a clean, sanitized bucket with cool, fresh water. Sweet peas are sensitive to heat and benefit from rapid cooling.
Skip CVBN Tablets: Bleach-based solutions can overpower their delicate fragrance. Instead, focus on frequent water changes and re-cutting stems every other day.
Cold Storage: While sweet peas can be stored at 38°F to 40°F to prolong freshness, their fragrance diminishes in cold storage. For the best customer experience, move sweet peas out of storage and into bouquets or arrangements within a day of harvesting.
Transport: Always transport sweet peas upright in a cool, shaded area to protect their delicate petals and maximize freshness.
For Events or Displays:
Provide sweet pea bouquets or arrangements in a water-filled vessel whenever possible, especially in warm or windy conditions, to preserve freshness and prevent wilting.
The Power of Locally Sourced Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are best when grown locally due to their short vase life and delicate nature. Unlike flowers shipped long distances, locally grown sweet peas retain their fragrance, vibrant colors, and overall quality. By sourcing locally, customers experience the true charm of this ephemeral bloom.
Longevity: Sweet peas have a vase life of about 5 days with proper care. Educate your customers on their ephemeral beauty to set realistic expectations.
Pro Tip: The tendrils and vines of sweet peas make fantastic additions to bouquets and arrangements. Use these elements creatively to add texture and whimsy to your designs.
Upgrade your harvesting game! Check out our favorite harvesting snips for precise cuts and efficient harvesting during peak production.
Sweet peas are one of our top 5 field favorites!
Discover why we love them and explore the other 4 standout crops in our Top 5 Flower Field Favorites blog.
Which Sweet Pea Varieties Should You Grow?
Choosing the right sweet pea varieties is key to a successful season. Each type has unique traits that can cater to early, mid, or late-season needs, as well as specific market demands.
Spencer Varieties
Description: Renowned for their ruffled petals and stunning colors, Spencer sweet peas thrive in long-day conditions and are excellent for summer blooms.
Notable Varieties: Mollie Rilstone (creamy blush), Nimbus (smoky lavender), and Sir Jimmy Shand (soft lilac).
Best Use: Event work and wedding designs, particularly late spring through early summer.
Early Multifloras
Elegance Series: Excellent for shorter days, with long stems and multiple blooms. Burgundy is a standout for prolific growth and vibrant color even in partial shade.
Mammoth Series: More heat-tolerant than Elegance, thriving in full sun and cooler spring conditions.
Specialty Standouts
Alyosius Dickinson: A non-tendril variety with muted tones, perfect for event-focused growers.
Jilly: A reliable cream-colored sweet pea with exceptional stem length, even in the field!
Pro Tip: Grow a mix of early, mid, and late-blooming varieties to maximize your harvest window and create diverse offerings for markets or events.
Sweet peas add a delicate charm to this wedding tablescape with salmon blooms in a bud vase.
Using Sweet Peas in Floral Designs
Sweet peas add an air of whimsy and elegance to any arrangement. Their delicate petals, trailing vines, and unforgettable fragrance make them a favorite among florists and customers alike.
Design Features
Tendrils and Vines: The curling tendrils are perfect for adding texture and movement to bridal bouquets, centerpieces, and boutonnieres.
Fragrance: Their scent is an added bonus for personal flowers like corsages or hand-tied bouquets, where customers can fully enjoy their perfume.
Color Palette: With soft pastels, bold jewel tones, and muted specialty shades, sweet peas can complement nearly any color scheme.
Best Practices for Design Use
Hydration: Sweet peas need consistent hydration. Use them in designs where they can be placed directly in water, such as bud vases, Agra-Wool (foam-free mechanics), or water tubes for wearable flowers and large installations.
Bud Vases: Sweet peas shine in bud vases, where their dainty blooms and fragrance can be appreciated up close. Group multiple vases for a simple yet striking tablescape.
Avoid Heat and Direct Sun: Sweet peas are best used in cooler environments. For outdoor events, keep arrangements shaded and mist stems regularly.
Short Vase Life: Educate clients about their ephemeral nature, emphasizing their unique beauty while managing expectations.
Creative Ideas
Incorporate sweet peas into cascading bridal bouquets for a romantic, garden-inspired look.
Use tendrils in boutonnieres or corsages for a unique element.
Feature sweet peas as a focal flower in spring centerpieces, surrounded by other seasonal blooms like ranunculus or anemones.
Arrange sweet peas in a mix of bud vases for an airy and elegant tablescape.
Pro Tip: Pair sweet peas with flowers that complement their softness, like roses, lisianthus, or ranunculus, and avoid pairing them with overly dense blooms that could overshadow their delicate charm.
Harvesting the unique non-tendril Aloysius Dickinson sweet peas at peak bloom.
When to Say Goodbye: Removing and Replanting Sweet Pea Plants
Sweet peas bring joy to the season, but like all crops, their time in the field eventually comes to an end. Recognizing when it’s time to remove your sweet pea plants ensures your garden stays productive and ready for the next rotation.
Signs It’s Time to Remove Sweet Peas:
Declining Blooms: Stems become shorter, flowers are fewer, and blooms lose their vibrant color or size.
Yellowing Foliage: Leaves start to yellow and dry out, indicating the plants are past their peak.
Pest and Disease Pressure: Increased issues like spider mites, powdery mildew, or thrips can signal the plants are struggling.
Heat Stress: As temperatures rise, sweet peas naturally slow down and eventually stop producing.
What to Do Next:
Save Seeds: If you want to save seeds, allow the last pods to fully mature and dry on the vine before removing plants.
Clear the Beds: Pull out the plants and remove any trellis or support structures. Add plant material to the compost pile if it’s disease-free.
Replant with Summer Vines: Once cleared, consider replanting the bed with summer vines that thrive in the heat and aren’t as nutrient-demanding. Great options include hyacinth beans or love-in-a-puff, which add beauty and interest while letting the soil recover.
Soil Prep: After clearing, refresh the soil with compost or amendments, and prepare for the next crop in your rotation.
Pro Tip: Sweet pea beds are an excellent transition point for summer vines or even cover crops to prepare for fall planting. Choose crops that complement your succession plan and soil health needs.
Keep Your Beds Blooming! Learn how to plan seamless transitions and keep your beds producing with our Advanced Guide to Succession Planting: No Gaps, No Wasted Blooms.
Burgundy sweet peas glow in the golden hour light during a sunset harvest.
Wrapping Up the Sweet Pea Season
Sweet peas are truly one of the most rewarding crops to grow, combining nostalgic charm, delicate beauty, and an unforgettable fragrance. Whether you’re planning for market bouquets, event designs, or personal enjoyment, these blooms are a standout addition to any flower farm.
By focusing on variety selection, proper growing conditions, and thoughtful design use, sweet peas can elevate your offerings and create lasting memories for you and your customers. From their early spring blooms to their fleeting but impactful vase life, they are a true testament to the power of locally grown flowers.
Sweet Pea Inspiration Awaits! For more tips, tricks, and growing insights, check out our detailed Sweet Pea Blog on Bootstrap Farmer and see how these blooms can transform your growing season.
We are looking forward to sharing more blooms with you soon.
Jessica & Graham
