Pronkerwt

Lathyrus odoratus

Engels: Sweet pea

annualFabaceae

Pronkerwt (Lathyrus odoratus) is a annual from the Fabaceae family that grows up to 250cm tall. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires moderate maintenance. Blooms in spring and summer with pink, purple, white, red flowers and attracts bees and butterflies.

Hoogte

100–250 cm

Breedte

20–30 cm

Zonligging

full sun, partial shade

Waterbehoefte

moderate

Grondsoort

loam

Onderhoud

moderate maintenance

Bloeitijd

spring, summer

Bloemkleuren

pink, purple, white, red

Ecologische waarde

Trekt bijen aan

🦋 Trekt vlinders aan

Verzorgingskalender

Taak	Jan	Feb	Mrt	Apr	Mei	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Okt	Nov	Dec
🌱Planten
💧Bemesten

Care tips

Planting

Sweet peas thrive in full sun or partial shade and prefer a rich, moisture-retentive loam. Before planting, dig over the soil thoroughly and incorporate plenty of well-rotted compost or manure to improve structure and fertility—sweet peas are hungry feeders and reward good preparation. Choose a spot sheltered from strong winds but with good air circulation. You can sow sweet peas in two main windows: in October or November for an early start, or in March and April for later flowering. Autumn sowing produces stronger plants that flower earlier, but requires protection over winter in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. For spring sowing, wait until the soil is workable and frost risk is diminishing. Sow seeds about 2.5 cm deep, either directly into the ground or in deep pots or root trainers to minimise root disturbance. If starting in pots, harden off plants gradually before transplanting. Space plants 25 cm apart in the ground. Sweet peas are vigorous climbers reaching 100–250 cm, so install sturdy supports—canes, netting, obelisks, or a wigwam of bamboo—at planting time. Plant out seedlings carefully to avoid damaging the roots, firming soil gently around the base. Water in well after planting to settle roots, and apply a 5 cm layer of mulch around (but not touching) the stems to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Pinch out the growing tip when plants are about 10 cm tall to encourage bushier, more floriferous growth from the base.

Pruning

Sweet peas don't require formal pruning in the traditional sense, but regular deadheading is absolutely essential to prolong flowering and prevent the plant from setting seed. Once sweet peas begin producing seed pods, they interpret their job as done and stop flowering altogether. Check plants every two to three days throughout the flowering season—from late spring through summer—and snip off all faded blooms along with their stems, cutting back to just above a leaf joint or side shoot. The more you pick, the more flowers you'll get, so treat sweet peas as a cut flower and harvest generously for the vase. At the start of the season, pinch out the growing tip of young plants when they reach about 10 cm tall. This encourages branching from lower down and results in more flowering stems. As plants grow, guide wayward shoots onto their supports and remove any tendrils clinging to neighbouring plants if you're growing them in rows. By late summer or early autumn, sweet peas will naturally decline. Once flowering has finished and foliage begins to yellow, cut plants down to ground level and compost the material (unless you suspect disease). Because sweet peas are legumes in the Fabaceae family, their roots fix nitrogen in the soil, so it's beneficial to leave the root system in place to decompose and enrich the ground for next year's crops. There's no need for secateurs—scissors or even your fingers will do for deadheading, though clean, sharp snips make tidier cuts.

Maintenance

Sweet peas have moderate water needs but dislike drying out, especially during flowering. Water regularly at the base of plants during dry spells, aiming for consistent moisture rather than sporadic drenching. In hot weather you may need to water two or three times a week; mulching helps retain soil moisture and keeps roots cool. Avoid overhead watering, which can encourage mildew. Feed sweet peas once flowering begins in May with a high-potash liquid fertiliser such as tomato feed, applied every two weeks. This supports continuous blooming through summer. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which promote leafy growth at the expense of flowers. If you've prepared the soil well with compost or manure before planting, plants will have a good nutrient reserve to draw on early in the season. Sweet peas are annuals and won't survive winter, so there's no overwintering required for established plants. If you've sown in autumn, keep young seedlings in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse through winter, ventilating on mild days to prevent damping off. Common problems include powdery mildew, particularly in dry conditions or where air circulation is poor—space plants properly and water at soil level to minimise risk. Aphids can cluster on new growth; squash by hand or spray with soapy water. Slugs and snails target young seedlings, so protect with barriers or organic pellets. Check regularly for pea moth caterpillars inside pods if you're saving seed, though this is rarely an issue if you're deadheading diligently for flowers.