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Things

Sweet Peas

What is sweet peas?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Scientific name Lathyrus odoratus[1]
Plant type Flowering plant[1]
Growth form Climbing plant / vine[1]
Flower trait Fragrant[1]
Native area Sicily, southern Italy, Aegean Islands / Mediterranean[4]
Toxicity Seeds or fruits are poisonous / inedible[1]

Sweet peas are flowering plants, *Lathyrus odoratus*, grown for their fragrant flowers; some dictionaries also use the term as an affectionate form of address.

Context

Sweet peas (*Lathyrus odoratus*) are flowering plants in the legume family, known for their fragrant flowers and climbing growth habit [1]. They are native to the Mediterranean region, including Sicily and southern Italy [4]. While often grown as ornamental garden plants, their seeds and fruits are poisonous and inedible [1]. The term 'sweet pea' can also be used as an affectionate term for a person, child, or pet [2]. They are sometimes confused with edible peas, but true sweet peas are not safe to eat [3].

Documented claims

  • Sweet peas are cultivated as ornamental garden plants. [1]
  • The term 'sweet pea' can also be an affectionate term for a person, child, or pet. [2]
  • Sweet peas are commonly confused with edible peas, but true sweet peas are not edible and are poisonous. [3]

Questions and answers

Why are sweet peas so hard to grow?

Sweet peas can be challenging because they require specific conditions, but the sources do not detail the exact difficulties. [1]

What month do you plant sweet peas?

The sources do not specify a planting month for sweet peas. [1]

Do sweet peas come back each year?

The sources do not state whether sweet peas are annual or perennial. [1]

Does sweet pea like sun or shade?

The sources do not specify sun or shade preferences for sweet peas. [1]

Sources

  1. Lathyrus odoratus (Annual Sweet Pea, Sweet ... - Plant Toolbox — plants.ces.ncsu.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Sweet pea - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.comwww.vocabulary.com › dictionary › sweet pea — vocabulary.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Sweet Peas - Farmer Foodshare — farmerfoodshare.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. The Language of Sweet Pea | Wild at Heart — wildatheart.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Things