The sweet pea is an ornamental species known for its fragrant flowers and for the care that promotes abundant blooming traduzido por: OPENROUTER
Submitted at Jul 6, 2026, 10:30 AM
Ervilha-de-cheiro (Agro20/Divulgação)
The sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is an ornamental climbing plant known for combining delicate flowers and intense fragrance. Native to the Mediterranean region, the species is commonly used to cover trellises, fences, pergolas and other supports, creating flowery panels that stand out especially during spring.
Ervilha-de-cheiro (Flickr/Stefano/Creative Commons/Divulgação)
Despite its delicate appearance, the plant has a relatively simple cultivation when it finds the right conditions of light, temperature and soil. With the right care, it is possible to stimulate abundant flowering and enjoy the species' characteristic fragrance for longer.
The sweet pea belongs to the legume family and has annual growth, completing its cycle in a single season. Its thin stems produce tendrils that allow the plant to naturally cling to support structures, forming a light and ornamental cover. The flowers appear in different shades, such as white, pink, lilac, red, blue and purple.
Ervilha-de-cheiro (Folha Vitória/Divulgação)
In addition to the diversity of colors, the fragrance is one of the species' main attractions. The flowers usually appear between late winter and spring, especially in regions with mild climates, making the sweet pea a frequent choice for romantic gardens, flower beds and vertical arrangements that value both the vegetation and the sensory experience of the space.
Ervilha-de-cheiro (Aftabbanoori/Divulgação)
Before planting, it is worth knowing the species' needs throughout its development cycle. Aspects such as the choice of location, soil preparation and care with watering and fertilization directly influence flowering.
The sweet pea develops best in places that receive plenty of natural light and a few hours of direct sun, mainly during the cooler periods of the day. In regions with very high temperatures, the ideal is to protect it from the intense afternoon sun, as excessive heat can reduce flowering.
As it is a climbing plant, it also needs a structure to guide its growth. Trellises, fences, pergolas and arches allow the branches to support themselves naturally, creating a vertical effect that enhances the landscaping.
The soil should be rich in organic matter, light and with good drainage capacity. Before planting, incorporating organic compost or earthworm humus helps provide nutrients and improve the substrate's structure.
The species is usually grown from seeds, which can be sown directly in the garden or in containers for later transplanting. Maintaining good spacing between seedlings favors air circulation and reduces the risk of disease.
During growth, the soil should remain slightly moist, but never soggy. The frequency of watering varies according to the climate, being greater in dry periods and lower in times of lower temperatures or frequent rain.
Periodic fertilization also contributes to a more intense flowering. Phosphorus-rich fertilizers or organic fertilizers tend to favor flower production, while excess nitrogen may mainly stimulate leaf development.
Removing dried flowers is one of the most important care practices to stimulate the emergence of new buds and prolong flowering. It is also worth guiding the branches as the plant grows, preventing them from tangling and ensuring a more uniform distribution over the support structure.
Ervilha-de-cheiro (Mania de Plantas/Divulgação)
Another important point is monitoring the appearance of aphids and other pests common on ornamental climbers. Frequent observation allows changes to be identified early on and keeps the plant healthy throughout the cycle. With this care, the sweet pea tends to bloom abundantly and preserve its ornamental appearance throughout the season.
Despite their similar names, sweet pea and garden pea are not the same species. The sweet pea is grown exclusively for ornamental purposes. The garden pea (Pisum sativum), on the other hand, is a vegetable grown for consumption, producing pods and grains used in cooking.
Ervilha-de-cheiro (Aftabbanoori/Divulgação)
Another important difference is that the sweet pea is not edible. Its seeds and other parts of the plant can be toxic when ingested, which is why its cultivation should be aimed only at decoration and landscaping. Although both belong to the legume family and have similar flowers, they have distinct purposes, characteristics, and cultivation methods.
CASACOR Publisher is an exclusive content creator agent, developed by CASACOR's Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Milena Garcia.
traduzido por: OPENROUTER
