Sweet pea 'Lipstick' Lathyrus odoratus 'Lipstick'
ABOUT
'Lipstick' is a free-flowering sweet pea, with strong, vigorous growth to 2.2m high. Long flower stems, to 27cm, bear 3-4 flowers, 5.5cm in diameter. Standards are round and waved, wings round, waved and spreading, magenta, cream at the base. Highly scented and a strong performer
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae.
Synonyms
Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea, Peavine.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus 'Lipstick'.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
6 feet (1.8 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
2
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Lathyrus odoratus 'Lipstick', commonly known as sweet pea, is valued for its vibrant pink-red flowers that add a striking visual appeal to gardens and floral arrangements.
- Fragrance: Sweet peas are well-loved for their sweet, pleasant fragrance, which can enhance the sensory experience of any space where they are grown or displayed.
- Attract Pollinators: Sweet peas produce nectar-rich flowers which attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies, aiding in the pollination of surrounding plants.
- Versatility in Landscaping: Sweet peas can be grown on trellises, fences, and arches, making them versatile additions to a variety of garden designs.
- Cut Flowers: The long stems and attractive flowers of sweet peas make them excellent for use as cut flowers in bouquets and arrangements, providing both beauty and fragrance indoors.
- Easy to Grow: Sweet peas are generally easy to cultivate from seed and can thrive with basic garden care, making them suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Seasonal Coverage: Being annuals, sweet peas can provide quick coverage and a burst of color in the growing season, filling gaps in perennial borders.
- Emotional Benefits: The presence of colorful and fragrant flowers like sweet peas can have a positive impact on mental well-being and is associated with reduced stress levels.
- Edible Pea Shoots: While not a common practice for all varieties, the young shoots of some sweet peas can be edible and used in salads, although caution is essential to avoid toxic varieties.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Educational tool for genetics: Sweet pea's easily observable Mendelian inheritance patterns make it a useful plant for teaching genetics in the classroom.
- Companion planting: Sweet pea can be planted alongside vegetables in the garden to enhance growth and deter pests naturally.
- Floral art and flower arranging: The vibrant colors and scents of sweet pea make it a popular choice for flower arrangements and competition displays.
- Dye production: The pigments from sweet pea blossoms can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics or art projects.
- Horticultural research: Sweet pea is often used in botanical studies due to its diverse genetics and variety of colors.
- Perfume inspiration: The scent of sweet pea flowers has inspired perfumes and scented products such as lotions, soaps, and candles.
- Wedding decor: Because of their delicate appearance and scent, sweet pea flowers are commonly used in wedding bouquets and decorations.
- Creative photography: The bright and attractive flowers of sweet pea make them a favorite subject for botanical photographers and social media content creators.
- Festivals and events: Sweet pea flowers are often featured in floral festivals and springtime events that celebrate gardening and horticulture.
- Science projects: Students can use sweet pea plants in science fair projects to test the effects of different environmental conditions on plant growth.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiSweet pea is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilitySweet pea is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Pleasure: Sweet peas, such as Lathyrus odoratus 'Lipstick,' are often associated with pleasure due to their delightful fragrance and bright colors, bringing joy to those who encounter them.
- Goodbye: Owing to their tendency to be given at times of parting, sweet peas have come to symbolize farewells and the wish for a positive return.
- Delicate Pleasures: The sweet pea's delicate appearance and scent represent the idea of enjoying the subtle, fleeting joys in life.
- Thankfulness: These flowers convey gratitude, making them an appropriate token for appreciation and thanks.
- Blissful Pleasure: Often used to express the feeling of pure happiness and bliss, sweet peas' blossoms signify deep contentment and pleasure.
- Departure: Similarly to farewells, sweet peas can denote the act of leaving, endorsing the message of remembering someone fondly when parting ways.
WaterSweet pea plants, including the 'Lipstick' variety, should be watered deeply but infrequently to encourage strong root growth. They tend to need watering once a week under normal weather conditions. During periods of high heat or dryness, the frequency may increase to twice a week. The soil should be moistened to a depth of about 1 inch, which usually equates to about one gallon of water per plant, depending on soil type and environmental conditions. It’s crucial to avoid watering the foliage directly to prevent disease.
LightSweet peas, like 'Lipstick', thrive in full sun, which means they require at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. The best spot for these plants is in a location that gets the morning sun, which is less harsh than the afternoon sun, but they can still perform well with full day exposure as long as they are kept well-watered.
TemperatureSweet peas prefer cooler temperatures and will thrive when daytime temperatures are between 55°F and 65°F, with night temperatures ideally remaining above 50°F. They can generally survive minimum temperatures down to about 40°F but will start to suffer if the temperature rises consistently above 70°F.
PruningPruning sweet peas encourages more blooms and prevents the plant from becoming leggy. Pinch off the tips of the plant when they are about 4 to 6 inches tall to promote bushiness. Throughout the blooming season, regularly deadhead spent flowers to encourage new growth. The best time for major pruning is in early spring before the new growth starts in earnest.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet Pea 'Lipstick' prefers rich, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0-7.5. A balanced mix of loamy garden soil, compost, and perlite or sand to improve drainage is ideal for this plant. Adding organic matter will help to provide the necessary nutrients for vigorous growth.
RepottingSweet Pea 'Lipstick' is generally grown as an annual and therefore does not usually require repotting. If started in containers, they should be transplanted to the garden or a larger container before they become root-bound.
Humidity & MistingSweet Pea 'Lipstick' grows best in moderate humidity conditions, as it thrives in outdoor environments with natural airflow. Avoid excessively high humidity to prevent fungal diseases.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and keep moist.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to part shade, in fertile, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of the Sweet Pea 'Lipstick' starts with seed germination, occurring when soil temperatures are between 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Following germination, the plant enters the seedling stage, developing its first true leaves and beginning photosynthesis. As it grows, it enters the vegetative stage, where the plant focuses on producing a strong stem and foliage to support blooming. The next stage is flowering, where 'Lipstick' produces its fragrant pink and red flowers that are attractive to pollinators. Once pollinated, the flowers develop into seed pods during the reproductive stage, and when the pods dry and open, the seeds are dispersed, which can then germinate to complete the cycle. In colder regions, Sweet Pea 'Lipstick' is grown as an annual, with a life cycle concluding within a year, while in milder climates, it may survive as a perennial, repeating its cycle for a few years.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The sweet pea 'Lipstick' is commonly propagated by seed. The best time to start sweet pea seeds is in late winter or early spring, around 6-8 weeks before the last frost date, to give the plants a head start. This method involves soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours to soften the hard outer shell, which aids in germination. After soaking, seeds are sown about 1 inch deep in well-draining soil and spaced about 2 inches apart. They require a sunny spot and regular watering to ensure steady growth. Once seedlings have a few sets of leaves, they can be thinned out or transplanted to their final growing location, ensuring they have support for climbing as this is a vining plant. Sweet peas are typically ready to transplant when daytime temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 degrees Celsius).
