Lathyrus odoratus 'Pocahontas'
ABOUT
The 'Pocahontas' sweet pea is a captivating flowering plant known for its strikingly beautiful blossoms. It boasts a profusion of flowers, each one showcasing a deep purple hue, which can appear almost maroon in certain lights. The petals of the flowers are velvety and ruffled, adding to their rich texture and giving them a dimensional appearance that's both eye-catching and elegant. These flowers are notable not only for their color but also for their delightful fragrance, which is both sweet and intense, filling the air around them and attracting pollinators as well as human admirers. The scent is characteristic of sweet peas, known for their ability to perfume gardens and spaces with their aroma. The leaves of the 'Pocahontas' sweet pea are typically green and have a narrow, lance-shaped appearance. They are arranged spirally on the stem, providing a lush backdrop that contrasts beautifully with the striking flowers. The stems are sturdy and can support the weight of multiple blooms, which grow in clusters, creating bunches of color and scent that make them ideal for cutting and bringing indoors. As a vine, this plant grows by sending out tendrils that can cling to supports, allowing it to climb and display its flowers at different levels, which provides a cascading or draped effect that is quite stunning in gardens or on structures like trellises, arbors, and fences. In summary, the 'Pocahontas' sweet pea is a show-stopping plant with a strong visual and olfactory presence, characterized by its richly colored, fragrant flowers, lush foliage, and vining habit that allows it to add height and dimension to garden spaces without referring to its specific dimensions.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Sweet Pea, Sweetpea, Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea, Lathyrus.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus 'Pocahontas'
ToxicityTo humans
Sweet pea, the common name for Lathyrus odoratus 'Pocahontas', is ornamental and notable for its fragrant flowers. However, the seeds and the rest of the plant contain a compound called Lathyrogens, which can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. They can cause a condition known as lathyrism, which may lead to symptoms such as paralysis, labored breathing, convulsions, and potentially may result in death due to respiratory failure if ingested in extremely high doses. It is important to handle sweet pea seeds with caution and to ensure children do not consume them.
To pets
Sweet pea, the common name for Lathyrus odoratus 'Pocahontas', is also toxic to pets. Ingesting the plant, especially the seeds, may lead to similar toxicity as observed in humans. Symptoms of poisoning in pets include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, tremors, seizures, and in severe cases, it may cause death from complications such as convulsions or respiratory failure. Pet owners should prevent animals from eating any part of the sweet pea plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
6 feet (1.8 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
2
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Flowers: Sweet pea 'Pocahontas' has vibrant, richly colored flowers that are visually appealing in any garden.
- Fragrance: This variety is known for its sweet, pleasing fragrance that can enhance the sensory experience of a garden.
- Climbing Habit: As a climbing plant, sweet pea 'Pocahontas' can add vertical interest to gardens, providing height and structure when supported.
- Easy Propagation: Sweet peas are generally easy to propagate from seeds, allowing gardeners to grow multiple plants economically.
- Beneficial for Pollinators: The flowers attract bees and butterflies, which are important pollinators for many gardens and ecosystems.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms of sweet pea 'Pocahontas' are long-lasting when cut, making them ideal for floral arrangements and bouquets.
- Cold Tolerance: Sweet peas are tolerant of cooler temperatures and can be planted in early spring, providing early season color in the garden.
- Fast Growing: This plant has a rapid growth rate, allowing gardeners to quickly achieve a blooming display.
- Edible Flowers: The flowers of sweet peas are edible and can be used to add color and a slight pea-like flavor to dishes, though the seeds and pods should not be consumed.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Ink Production: The crushed petals of sweet pea can be used to create natural dyes or inks for art and craft projects, imparting a delicate hue to the materials.
- Educational Tools: Sweet pea is often used in schools and educational programs to teach children about plant biology, life cycles, and gardening basics due to its ease of growth and vibrant flowers.
- Photography Subjects: Sweet pea flowers are commonly used in photography for their vivid colors and aesthetic appeal, making them excellent subjects for botanical and garden photography.
- Handmade Paper: The petals and fibers from sweet pea plants can be incorporated into handmade paper, giving it a unique texture and appearance.
- Natural Potpourri: Dried sweet pea flowers can be included in homemade potpourri mixes for a natural and gentle fragrance in living spaces.
- Culinary Garnish: Although not widely used for consumption, sweet pea flowers can occasionally serve as an ornamental, non-toxic garnish for certain dishes to add visual appeal.
- Fragrance Inspiration: The scent of sweet pea flowers inspires perfumers and the creation of floral fragrances for personal scents and home fragrances.
- Artisanal Crafts: The stems and flowers of sweet pea can be used in the creation of floral crafts, such as wreaths and natural jewelry, where their form and color can be preserved.
- Floral Arrangements for Miniature Displays: Sweet pea's small, delicate blooms are well-suited for creating scaled-down floral arrangements for dollhouses and miniature displays.
- Seed Art: The seeds of sweet peas can be used in seed art projects, where they are glued onto a surface to create patterns, images, or mosaics.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Sweet Pea is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Sweet Pea is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Delicate Pleasures: Sweet pea, the common name for Lathyrus odoratus 'Pocahontas', is often associated with the simple, delicate pleasures in life, owing to its gentle appearance and fragrance.
- Goodbye and Departure: These flowers can symbolize farewell, as they have historically been used to say goodbye or denote a departure.
- Kindness: Sweet pea is also associated with kindness. Its soft colors and sweet scent are reminiscent of the pleasantness and gentleness of a kind act.
- Blissful Pleasure: Representing pure enjoyment, sweet pea embodies the concept of experiencing pleasure for the sake of it, evoking a sense of true bliss.
- Thankfulness: Gifting sweet peas can express gratitude, making them a symbol for thankfulness and appreciation for someone's actions or presence.
WaterSweet peas require thorough watering, especially during dry spells. The soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water them deeply once a week with about 1 gallon of water per plant, making sure the water penetrates the soil to reach the roots. During hotter periods, they may need watering twice a week. Ensure you're watering the soil directly and avoiding wetting the foliage to prevent disease.
LightSweet peas thrive best in full sun, where they can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Plant them in a location where they are exposed to the morning sun which is less intense, as this can help prevent the flowers from fading too quickly. Avoid shaded areas as this can diminish blooming and lead to weaker plants.
TemperatureSweet peas prefer moderate conditions and grow best in temperatures between 55-65°F. They can survive in temperatures as low as 25°F for short periods and should not be exposed to temperatures above 80°F for extended durations, as this can inhibit flowering. They must be planted in a spot that avoids the extreme heat of the day during summer months.
PruningPrune sweet peas to encourage fuller plants and more blooms. Pinch off the stem tips when the plants are about 4-6 inches tall to stimulate branching. Regularly deadhead, or remove spent flowers, to prevent plants from going to seed and to promote continuous blooming. Pruning is best done during the cooler part of the day, either morning or evening.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet Pea 'Pocahontas' prefers well-draining, fertile soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure. A pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 is ideal for this plant. The best soil mix consists of loam or garden soil, peat, and perlite or vermiculite to increase aeration and drainage.
RepottingSweet Peas like 'Pocahontas' are typically grown as annuals and don’t need repotting as they complete their life cycle in one season; if started in containers, transplant them to the garden when seedlings are strong.
Humidity & MistingSweet Pea 'Pocahontas' prefers moderate humidity levels and can tolerate some variation, but high humidity can encourage fungal diseases; ensure good air circulation to keep humidity near optimum.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light, keep cool, and support climbers.
Outdoor
Plant in sun, support growth, water regularly.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleSweet Pea 'Pocahontas' germinates from seed, typically in early spring after the last frost, when soil temperatures reach around 55°F (13°C). Seedlings emerge and develop into climbing or bushy plants, depending on the support provided, with bright green compound leaves. The plant enters a vegetative growth phase, producing stems and leaves to gather sunlight and energy. Following vegetative growth, Sweet Pea 'Pocahontas' enters the flowering stage, usually in late spring to early summer, producing fragrant, bicolored purple and blue flowers that attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers develop into pods containing several seeds, which mature by late summer or early fall. The plant completes its life cycle when seeds are dispersed, and it will die back if it's grown as an annual, or become dormant until next spring if conditions allow perennial growth.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
The most popular method of propagating Lathyrus odoratus, commonly known as 'Sweet Pea Pocahontas', is by seed. Propagation by seed typically begins in the spring after the threat of frost has passed or can be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost date. To encourage germination, seeds can be soaked in water for 24 hours prior to planting. Direct sowing sweet pea seeds into the garden should be done in well-drained soil, at a depth of 1 inch (about 2.5 centimeters) with a spacing of 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 centimeters) apart. Seedlings typically emerge in 10 to 21 days, depending on the soil temperature. It is also advisable to provide a trellis or some form of support at planting time, as sweet peas are climbing plants and will need support as they grow.
