Lathyrus sativus
Indian pea
L. sativus is a scrambling, annual, nitrogen-fixing climber, up to 1.2m high, with angular, winged stems, mid-green leaves divided into two narrowly elliptic, pointed leaflets, up to 15cm long and up to 1cm wide, and solitary flowers, up to 2.5cm across, usually sky-blue with a pink and white spot on the upper petal, sometimes pink or white, in late spring and early summer; the seeds are safely edible if they are first soaked overnight in lime water and then boiled
Other common names
blue-flower'd lathyruschichling-vetch
see morechickling pea
chickling vetch
dogtooth pea
grass pea
khesari
Riga pea
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | Blue Pink White | Green | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Blue Pink White | Green | |
| Autumn | Green | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Climbing
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Lathyrus can be annuals or herbaceous or evergreen perennials, mostly climbing, with pinnate leaves ending in a tendril, and showy pea-like flowers, fragrant in some species
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in full sun in moist but well-drained soil, and provide support or grow next to shrubs over which it can scramble. See sweetpea cultivation for further information.
Propagation
Propagate by seed, soaked for 24 hours before sowing, and sow directly in spring, 2.5cm deep, or sow in containers under cover in autumn or winter and then plant out in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
- Hedging and screens
- Wall side borders
Pruning
No pruning required, but deadheading before seeds have formed will prolong the flowering season
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails and thrips but generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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