Photo: Gavin SlaterCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Wild Sweet Pea Plant Care
Lathyrus sylvestris L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its delicate tendrils and vibrant purple flowers, this plant hails from Europe and Asia. Plant collectors are drawn to Lathyrus sylvestris for its charming appearance and ability to attract butterflies and bees to the garden. Its graceful foliage and sweet fragrance make it a favorite among enthusiasts.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Wild Sweet Pea?
Water Wild Sweet Pea 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 Wild Sweet Pea Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kenya
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of the Congo
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- The Netherlands
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Wild Sweet Pea?
Wild Sweet Pea (Lathyrus sylvestris) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Lathyrus genus. Wild Sweet Pea is native to parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia. Wild Sweet Pea is also known as Narrow-leaved Everlasting Pea, Woodland Sweet Pea.
Wild Sweet Pea displays a climbing vine growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Wild Sweet Pea produces colorful pea-like flowers in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Wild Sweet Pea?
Lathyrus sylvestris 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 Wild Sweet Pea Need?
Wild Sweet Pea thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Wild Sweet Pea Prefer?
Lathyrus sylvestris grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Wild Sweet Pea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Wild Sweet Pea?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Wild Sweet Pea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Wild Sweet Pea?
Feed Wild Sweet Pea 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 Wild Sweet Pea?
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 Wild Sweet Pea?
Wild Sweet Pea 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 Wild Sweet Pea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Wild Sweet Pea, 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 Wild Sweet Pea?
Wild Sweet Pea 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 Wild Sweet Pea Need?
Wild Sweet Pea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Wild Sweet Pea is native to parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia. In cooler regions, grow Wild Sweet Pea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Wild Sweet Pea 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.
Wild Sweet Pea 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 sylvestris L., family Fabaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 733 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Wild Sweet Pea, 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: Gavin Slater, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a – 9b, 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
Wild Sweet Pea 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