Photo: Charles E. JonesCC BY-SA 2.5via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
California Wild Pea Plant Care
Lathyrus vestitus Nutt. ex Torr. & A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lathyrus vestitus is a species of wild pea known by the common name Pacific pea. It is native to western North America, where it is mostly found in the forests, woodlands, and chaparral of California. The ranges of some subspecies extend into Oregon and Baja California. This is a perennial pea vine which varies in appearance across subspecies. Leaves are made up of several leaflets of various shapes up to 4 or 5 centimeters long. The leaves usually bear coiling tendrils and the stipules may be large or small. The inflorescence is a showy array of up to 15 pea flowers, sometimes densely packed together, and usually some shade of light to medium purple or white.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for California Wild Pea?
Water California Wild 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 California Wild Pea Native To?
What Is the California Wild Pea?
California Wild Pea (Lathyrus vestitus) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Lathyrus genus. California Wild Pea is native to western North America. California Wild Pea is also known as Wild Sweet Pea, Woodland Sweet Pea, Orobus vestitus.
California Wild Pea displays a climbing vine growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. California Wild Pea produces colorful pea-like flowers in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a California Wild Pea?
Lathyrus vestitus 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 California Wild Pea Need?
California Wild Pea thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the California Wild Pea Prefer?
Lathyrus vestitus grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. California Wild Pea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a California Wild Pea?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for California Wild Pea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a California Wild Pea?
Feed California Wild 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 California Wild 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 California Wild Pea?
California Wild 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 California Wild Pea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list California Wild 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 California Wild Pea?
California Wild 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 California Wild Pea Need?
California Wild Pea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. California Wild Pea is native to western North America. In cooler regions, grow California Wild Pea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
California Wild 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.
California Wild 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 vestitus Nutt. ex Torr. & A.Gray, family Fabaceae (first published in Fl. N. Amer. (Torr. & A. Gray) 1(2): 276. 1838 [Oct 1838]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list California Wild 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: Charles E. Jones, CC BY-SA 2.5, 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.
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