Photo: Walter SiegmundCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Manyleaf Peavine Plant Care
Lathyrus polyphyllus Nutt. ex Torr. & A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lathyrus polyphyllus is a species of wild pea known by the common name leafy pea. It is native to the western United States from Washington to northern California, where it grows in forest and other habitat. This is a perennial herb with long leaves each made up of many pairs of oval-shaped leaflets a few centimeters long. The leaf also has tendrils which may be long, branched and coiled, or just a short bristle. The stipules are large as well, often over a centimeter wide. The plant produces an inflorescence of up to 12 pea flowers usually arranged in a line along one side of the stem. The flowers are up to 2 centimeters wide and are a variety of shades of purple. The fruit is a dehiscent legume pod containing peas.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Manyleaf Peavine?
Water Manyleaf Peavine every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Manyleaf Peavine Native To?
What Is the Manyleaf Peavine?
Manyleaf Peavine (Lathyrus polyphyllus) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Lathyrus genus. Manyleaf Peavine is native to the western United States from Washington to northern California. Manyleaf Peavine is also known as Pacific Peavine, Lathyrus polyphyllus.
Manyleaf Peavine displays a climbing vine growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Manyleaf Peavine produces colorful pea-like flowers in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Manyleaf Peavine?
Lathyrus polyphyllus requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Manyleaf Peavine Need?
Manyleaf Peavine thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Manyleaf Peavine Prefer?
Lathyrus polyphyllus grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Manyleaf Peavine prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Manyleaf Peavine?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Manyleaf Peavine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Manyleaf Peavine?
Feed Manyleaf Peavine every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Manyleaf Peavine?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Manyleaf Peavine?
Manyleaf Peavine can be propagated through seeds, division of rootball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to golden sweet pea plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Manyleaf Peavine Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Manyleaf Peavine, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Manyleaf Peavine?
Manyleaf Peavine is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Manyleaf Peavine Need?
Manyleaf Peavine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Manyleaf Peavine is native to the western United States from Washington to northern California. In cooler regions, grow Manyleaf Peavine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Manyleaf Peavine is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Lathyrus genus — compare its care with other Lathyrus species on PlantoScan.
Lathyrus is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Manyleaf Peavine thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Lathyrus Species
Other Lathyrus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lathyrus polyphyllus Nutt. ex Torr. & A.Gray, family Fabaceae (first published in Fl. N. Amer. (Torr. & A. Gray) 1(2): 274. 1838 [Oct 1838]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Manyleaf Peavine, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Walter Siegmund, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Manyleaf Peavine Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species