Sweet Pea Seeds

Why choose to plant sweet pea seeds?

There are many reasons why sweet pea plants are so beloved:

• Soft, intoxicating fragrance   
• Vivid colouring, including red, white, pink, orange and more
• Add interest to your border – they look gorgeous growing up a trellis!
• Long blooming period from May to October

How to plant sweet pea seeds

Sweet pea seeds aren't hard to grow, but they need a specific environment to thrive. Here's how to give your seeds the best chance to flourish.

1. Use a root trainer

Overwinter your sweet pea seeds in root trainers. A root trainer is a pot with narrow, separated sections that have air holes at the bottom, which helps sweet pea roots grow as straight and deep as possible without becoming tangled with each other. Root trainers help to 'air prune' plants because the roots stop growing when they reach the air hole. This means the sweet pea roots within the trainer grow healthier and stronger.

2: Find the right location

Sweet pea plants are sun lovers, so a sunny spot in a greenhouse or a part of the garden with at least six hours of sunlight a day is perfect. However, when they have grown enough to be planted in soil, sweet pea plants prefer cool roots, so place them with annuals – they will help shelter the sweet pea roots while providing the sunlight they love so much.

3: Use moist, well-draining soil

If potting, use a peat-free, multi-purpose compost. If planting directly into a flower bed, give the soil a little love first by mixing in a few cups of fertiliser. Be sure to top up the soil throughout the growing process with a fertilising liquid to keep your flowers sweet, so they can reward you with colourful displays and fantastic fragrance!

4: Water every few days

Depending on the weather, every few days is a good starting guide for watering your sweet pea seeds. If it's been raining, they'll need less, and if it's been sunny, they'll need more. Keep the soil moist, but don’t drown them – sweet peas like a gentle sip, not a soak. If your seeds are in a pot, try placing the pot in water and let the plant drink up as needed.

5: Provide support as they sprout

Sweet pea plants need something to grow up because they can grow quite tall, so have a plant support
ready. Start by attaching them to a small bamboo hoop – they'll grow stronger and taller if they're not left flopping around. Adjust as they get taller – they can grow up to 1.8m tall at their full height!

[Read more on growing sweet peas from seed]

FAQs about sweet pea planting seeds

What's the difference between sweet pea seeds and perennial sweet pea seeds?

A variation of the sweet pea plant, perennial sweet pea seeds grow and develop gorgeous, tiny orchid-shaped petals. Also called everlasting sweet peas, the perennial sweet pea is known for its durability and will return year after year, easily reaching 6-8 feet high! Be warned, aroma lovers, it does lack the iconic fragrance of a traditional sweet pea – so if it's blissful smells you're after, it's best to avoid the perennial.

When is the ideal time to plant sweet pea seeds?

You can sow sweet pea seeds between October and April. Late October and late February are perhaps optimum times to sow them to avoid both the lowest winter temperatures and shortest daylight hours. October planting allows the seeds to germinate and establish roots over winter for spring blooms. In harsh winters, planting in late February lessens the chance of seedlings being killed by the cold.

Why choose us to buy sweet pea seeds online?

• Fast delivery, packed with care: When it’s time to plant your sweet pea seeds, you'll need speedy delivery. We send seed orders within 24 hours, carefully packaged for their journey. We also use recyclable packaging to keep your garden and the planet happy!
• Expert gardening tips: With over 75 years of growing experience, it’s fair to say we’re partial to a bit of gardening, just like you! Got a question about sowing sweet pea seeds and other floral favourites? Our online guides are packed with useful tips to help you.
• Talk to us: You can contact our friendly team five days a week – including bank holidays – when you want to buy sweet pea seeds, or any other seeds, to grow in the UK.
• Reliable quality: We stand by our products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and if you’re not happy, we can replace, refund or advise. Thousands of gardeners trust us. Check out our 5-star reviews on Trustpilot to see why.