How to grow Sweet Pea flowers

If this is your first time sowing Sweet Pea seeds or you're looking for some tips to get better results, use my easy to follow sowing and growing instructions

When to Sow

Autumn: Late September to October, or Spring: January to March

Fill your container with a good multi-purpose compost. Lightly tap the container to settle the compost.

Use a dibber (or your finger) to make a hole 1-2cm deep. Pop your seed in and then cover with a little more compost. As a guide we recommend sowing 2-3 seeds in a 9cm pot or 2 seeds in a 12cm root trainer.

Water gently to ensure the seed is not displaced, you shouldn’t need to water again until after the seed has germinated. Place the pots in a cool place, ideally 15-18˚C. First shoots should appear within 10-20 days.

Growing On

Once seeds have germinated, grow on in colder conditions, ideally a coldframe or unheated greenhouse. The young plants will tolerate cold conditions but protection from severe frost is advisable.

Autumn sown seeds should form side shoots naturally from mid-January and should not need pinching out.

For Spring sown seeds, pinch out the growing tips when the plants have 2-3 pairs of true leaves, this will encourage the plants to produce side shoots.

Young plants can be planted in their final flowering position from Spring, once weather and soil conditions allow, this can be from early March in the south of the UK. Plant out 20cm (8in) apart in a sunny position and support with canes, netting or trellis.

Sowing Outdoors

Seeds can be sown directly in their flowering position from March, however for best results we recommend sowing in containers and transplanting to the final flowering position.

Flowers: May to August