Are Sweet Pea Plants Perennial? A Gardener’s Complete Guide

People love sweet peas for their pretty, ruffled flowers and wonderful smell. They are a top choice for gardens and flower bouquets. But a big question for many gardeners is, are sweet pea plants perennial? The answer is a little tricky. This guide will tell you everything about these lovely climbing flowers.

Annual vs. Perennial Sweet Pea at a Glance

The most popular one with the powerful scent is an annual plant. Its scientific name is Lathyrus odoratus. Here is a simple table to show you the main differences between them.

What Is the Perennial Sweet Pea?

If you want a climbing plant that is easy to care for, the everlasting pea is a great pick. It is a strong plant perfect for covering a fence or garden arch.

You will not get that classic sweet pea smell. However, the fact that it returns every year is a huge advantage and saves you work.

Once yours are growing, you might want to add more color. You can explore a beautiful collection of other spring flowers to make your garden even brighter.

How to Grow and Care for Perennial Sweet Peas

Growing these is very simple. They are not picky plants.

• Sunlight: Give them a spot with lots of sun. A little shade is okay too. More sun helps them produce more flowers.
• Soil: They like soil that drains well, so their roots don’t get too wet.
• Watering: Water them regularly. They need more water when it’s hot and dry outside.
• Support: These plants are natural climbers. You will need to give them a trellis or fence to climb on.
• Caution: Remember that the seeds are poisonous. Do not let anyone eat them.

The Charm of the Annual Sweet Pea

There is a very good reason why the annual pea is still a huge favorite. For many people, its amazing smell is the very scent of summer. Here’s why so many gardeners love these peas:

• Amazing Fragrance: Their strong, sweet smell is their most famous feature, perfect for a fragrant garden.
• Perfect for Bouquets: They are the best choice for cutting gardens. People grow them just to have beautiful bouquets to bring indoors.
• So Many Colors: They come in a huge range of colors, which makes them perfect for any floral design.
• A New Look Each Year: Since they are annuals, they put all their energy into one big show. This is great if you like to change your garden’s design every year.

Which Ones to Choose?

In the end, the right one for you depends on what you want. Choose Annual Sweet Peas if you want that classic, strong fragrance and a wide variety of colors for bouquets.

You can choose Perennial Sweet Peas if you want an easy-care climbing plant that will reliably cover a fence or trellis. Many gardeners plant both types. They use the perennial kind for easy background color and the fragrant annuals for cutting.

Conclusion

So, let’s answer the question again: are sweet pea plants perennial? Yes, they can be, but you have to pick the right kind. The hardy, unscented Lathyrus latifolius is the true perennial. The famously fragrant Lathyrus odoratus is the lovely annual that is worth planting every year.