Also known as Sweet Pea · 446 gardener saves
Lathyrus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Lathyrus, the genus most gardeners know as sweet pea. We track 18 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Lathyrus varieties
Of 18 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedCupani Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratus 'Cupani'
#2 most savedPulsar Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratus 'Pulsar'
#3 most savedErewhon Sweet Pea
Lathyrus x belinensis 'Erewhon'
Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratus
Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratus 'Painted Lady'
Sweet Pea 'High Society'
Lathyrus odoratus 'High Society'
Nimbus Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratus 'Nimbus'
Sugar Magnolia Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratus 'Sugar Magnolia'
Nuance Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratus 'Nuance'
Enchanted Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratus 'Enchante'
Almost Black Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratus 'Almost Black'
Sweet Pea 'April in Paris'
Lathyrus odoratus 'April in Paris'
Browse all 18 Lathyrus varieties →
How to grow Lathyrus
What the Lathyrus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 18 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Lathyrus year
- PlantJanuary–March100% of varieties
Sow seeds early spring or transplant seedlings after hardening off
- StakeMarch and April100% of varieties
Install a trellis or support structure early for the vigorous vine
- HarvestApril–July100% of varieties
Cut flowers frequently for bouquets when 1-2 buds are open
- Pinch TipsMarch and April89% of varieties
Pinch growing tips when plants are 4-6 inches tall for bushier growth
- FertilizeApril–June72% of varieties
Apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer monthly once blooming begins
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not soggy 🌱
- Provide full sun for optimal flowering 🌞
- Prune after flowering to promote new growth
- Provide full sun for optimal flowering
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
- Do not disturb roots during flowering
What goes wrong with Lathyrus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky honeydew on leaves, distorted growth | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Apply a fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Introduce natural predators or spray with water |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on stems and leaves | Use insecticidal soap or miticides |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves, soft roots | Reduce watering and improve soil drainage |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Use fungicidal spray and improve air circulation |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Lathyrus
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch softwood cuttings in late spring.
- Dip cuttings in rooting hormone and plant in moist potting mix.
- Keep humid and wait 6 weeks for roots to develop.
Seed
- Tuck soaked seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Maintain soil temperature around 65-70°F for germination.
- Germination occurs in 2-3 weeks, thin seedlings as needed.
Lathyrus questions
How many types of Lathyrus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 18 distinct Lathyrus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 446 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Lathyrus grow in?
Across its varieties, Lathyrus covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Lathyrus bloom?
Most Lathyrus varieties bloom in late spring to summer, spring to summer, late spring, summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Lathyrus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Lathyrus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
