Common Pea Flower Plant Care
Sphaerolobium fornicatum Benth.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sphaerolobium fornicatum is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to the far south-west of Western Australia. It is a leafless shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.1–1 m and has yellow or orange and red flowers from October to January.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Common Pea Flower?
Plant Common Pea Flower in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Common Pea Flower Native To?
What Is the Common Pea Flower?
Common Pea Flower (Sphaerolobium fornicatum) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Sphaerolobium genus. Common Pea Flower is native to the far south-west of Western Australia. Common Pea Flower is also known as Common Globe Pea.
Common Pea Flower displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Common Pea Flower produces small yellow pea-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Common Pea Flower?
Water a young or newly planted Common Pea Flower every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Common Pea Flower Need?
Common Pea Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Common Pea Flower Prefer?
Sphaerolobium fornicatum tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Common Pea Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Common Pea Flower?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Common Pea Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Common Pea Flower?
Feed Common Pea Flower every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Common Pea Flower?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Common Pea Flower is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Common Pea Flower?
Common Pea Flower can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Common Pea Flower?
Prune Common Pea Flower while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Common Pea Flower in Winter?
Common Pea Flower is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Common Pea Flower?
Common Pea Flower can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball.
Is the Common Pea Flower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Common Pea Flower, 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 Common Pea Flower?
Common Pea Flower 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 Common Pea Flower Need?
Common Pea Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Common Pea Flower is native to the far south-west of Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Common Pea Flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Common Pea Flower 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 Sphaerolobium genus (family Fabaceae) — search all Sphaerolobium species in the plant lookup.
Common Pea Flower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sphaerolobium fornicatum Benth., family Fabaceae (first published in Enum. Pl. Hügel : 32 (1837)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Common Pea Flower, 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.
- 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.
