You want those beautiful, fragrant sweet pea flowers but don’t have a garden? Don’t worry! I’ve been growing them in pots for years and can’t wait to share everything I’ve learned about making a stunning display of these lovely climbers in pots.
Why Grow Sweet Peas in Containers?
Sweet peas are amazing container plants because
- They produce masses of colorful, fragrant blooms
- Perfect for balconies, patios, and small spaces
- Can be moved around to follow the sun
- Easier to protect from pests and weather
- Great for renters or those without garden space
Essential Container Requirements
Container Size and Type
- Use large containers at least:
- 20 inches wide
- 16 inches deep
- 1.5 cubic feet capacity
- Choose plastic containers for hot climates
- Avoid terracotta pots (they dry out too quickly)
Potting Mix
For best results
- Use high-quality potting mix
- Never use garden soil
- Add well-rotted manure
- Include compost if available
Support Structures
Sweet peas need something sturdy to climb on:
- 6-foot bamboo canes arranged in a teepee
- Secure canes firmly at the top
- Use chicken wire or soft netting
- Avoid thick metal trellises or lattices
Planting Your Sweet Peas
When to Plant
Timing depends on your climate
- Autumn planting (warm climates)
- Late winter/early spring (cool climates)
- Plant out when roots fill seedling pots
How to Plant
- Space 6 seedling pots evenly around support
- Plant 2-3 plants per group
- Don’t plant seeds directly in containers
- Water well after planting
Care and Maintenance
Watering Tips
- Never let soil completely dry out
- Check moisture level daily
- Water when top 1-2 inches feels dry
- Mulch to retain moisture
Feeding Schedule
- Use organic fertilizer like fish emulsion
- Feed every 2-3 weeks during flowering
- Add compost tea occasionally
- Stop feeding when plants decline
Training and Pruning
- Tie stems to supports weekly
- Remove tendrils (they’re not needed)
- Pinch tips when plants reach 15cm
- Cut flowers regularly for more blooms
Common Problems and Solutions
Pest Control
- Watch for birds attacking seedlings
- Use netting for protection
- Monitor for thrips
- Check for powdery mildew
Temperature Issues
- Protect from extreme heat
- Shade roots in hot weather
- Move containers if needed
- Expect decline above 90°F
Tips for Success
- Choose scented varieties
- Plant in succession for longer blooming
- Pick flowers every 9-10 days
- Keep roots cool and heads in sun
- Provide wind protection
My Personal Experience
I’ve been growing sweet peas in containers for 5 years now, and let me tell ya, they can be a bit tricky at first! Last year, I totally messed up by using pots that were way too small – my poor sweet peas looked so sad! But now I’ve got it figured out, and my balcony looks absolutely gorgeous every spring.
Growing sweet peas in containers isn’t rocket science, but it does need some attention to detail. With the right size pot, good support, and regular care, you’ll have a stunning display of fragrant blooms that’ll make your neighbors jealous!
Quick Checklist for Success
- Large container with drainage
- Quality potting mix
- Strong support structure
- Regular watering
- Consistent feeding
- Frequent harvesting
- Protection from extreme weather
Remember, sweet peas aren’t just pretty – they’re like having your own perfume factory on your patio! Just keep in mind that while they’re gorgeous to look at, they’re NOT edible and are actually toxic if eaten.
Got questions about growing sweet peas in containers? Drop them in the comments below – I’d love to help you get started on your sweet pea journey!
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What You Will Need
- Top-quality sweet pea seed
- Seed-starting mix
- Compost
- Fertilizer
- Tall posts
- Tenax Hortonova netting or 6-ft-high metal fencing
- If you live somewhere warm with mild winters, plant sweet peas in the fall. Everywhere else, sow in late winter/early spring. Soak your seeds for 24 hours before sowing. This softens the seed coat and adds a few days to the time it takes to sprout.
- Fill your planting pots with soil while the seeds soak. You should give sweet peas a lot of room when they are young because they grow a lot of roots. This will help them grow better in the long run. The pots I use are 3½ inches (9 cm) wide and deep.
- Plant two seeds per pot, poking them ½ in (1. 25 cm) into the soil with your finger.
- Putting a plastic dome lid on pots will raise the humidity and speed up the germination process. Put in a cool greenhouse or a house window that gets a lot of light.
- Pinch off the middle growing tip just above a leaf joint when the plants are 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm) tall. This will leave only 2 or 3 leaf nodes. This will help the plant grow strong branches from the base.
- Sweet peas are heavy feeders. So, in addition to preparing the soil the usual way, I dig a trench 1 foot (30 cm) deep down the middle of the bed and fill it with compost or well-rotted manure. This way, when the sweet peas send their roots down, they will find a feast waiting for them.
- Vine plants grow quickly and need a spot with full sun and a strong stem to climb. Place tall posts roughly 8 ft (2. 4-m) apart along the row and attach either 6-ft-high Tenax Hortonova nets or 8 m) metal fencing for them to scramble up.
- Before the last frost in the spring, put seedlings out in two rows, one on each side of the trellis. Space the rows 8 inches (20 cm) apart. Keep them tied to the trellis to produce straight stems. If you don’t tie the vines down, they will grow over 1 foot (30 cm) a week once they get going.
- If you don’t give sweet peas enough water, they won’t grow well. Setting up drip irrigation or soaker hoses as soon as you plant them is important to keep their thirst quenched when it’s hot outside. We water deeply 2 to 3 times a week.
- To keep plants from going to seed, you need to keep them from blooming, so make sure to pick and remove the dead flowers often. Pick stems with at least two unopened flowers at the very end to make them last longer in the vase. You can pick them when they’re more open, but they won’t last as long in a vase. It only takes four or five days for sweet peas to die after being cut. Adding flower preservative or sugar to the water makes a big difference and makes it last a few more days.
Here’s how you can grow sweet peas in pots and create whimsical trellises for your cottage garden!
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