Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Tangier Pea Plant Care
Lathyrus tingitanus L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's silver-gray foliage is its most striking visual feature, contrasting beautifully against its delicate pink flowers. Originating from the Mediterranean region, Lathyrus tingitanus is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique appearance and ability to thrive in sunny, well-drained environments.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Tangier Pea?
Water Tangier 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 Tangier 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 Tangier Pea?
Tangier Pea (Lathyrus tingitanus) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Lathyrus genus. Tangier Pea is native to southwestern Europe and Northwest Africa, and. Tangier Pea is also known as Tangier Sweet Pea.
Tangier Pea displays a climbing vine growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Tangier Pea produces colorful pea-like flowers in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tangier Pea?
Lathyrus tingitanus 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 Tangier Pea Need?
Tangier Pea thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tangier Pea Prefer?
Lathyrus tingitanus grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Tangier Pea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tangier Pea?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Tangier Pea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tangier Pea?
Feed Tangier 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 Tangier 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 Tangier Pea?
Tangier 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 Tangier Pea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tangier 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 Tangier Pea?
Tangier 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 Tangier Pea Need?
Tangier Pea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Tangier Pea is native to southwestern Europe and Northwest Africa, and.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Tangier 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.
Tangier 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 tingitanus L., family Fabaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 732 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tangier 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: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
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