The Best Companion Plants for Sweet Peas: A Complete Guide

Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are one of the most popular annual flowering vines grown in gardens. Their brightly colored and fragrant blooms make them a delight in any garden.

But did you know that planting the right companion plants near your sweet peas can help them grow even better?

Companion planting is the practice of strategically planting different plants together so they can benefit each other. The right companions can attract pollinators, deter pests, maximize garden space, and improve the soil for better growth.

In this detailed guide, we will cover:

• The benefits of companion planting with sweet peas
• The best companion plants for sweet peas
• What not to plant with sweet peas
• Creative companion planting ideas and combinations
• Growing tips for sweeter, more abundant blooms

Why Companion Plant with Sweet Peas?

Here are some of the key benefits of companion planting with sweet peas:

• Pest control: Companions like marigolds, nasturtiums, and radishes can help deter common pests.

• Pollination: Sweet peas attract bees but companion flowers provide more pollen for better pod production.

• Maximize garden space: Low-growing companions fill space beneath vines. Climbers share the trellis.

• Improve soil: Companions like beans add nitrogen. Others help aerate and loosen the soil.

• Enhanced growth: The right companions optimize soil conditions and make nutrients more available.

• Add color and texture: Companions like catmint and pansies add color around the vines.

The Best Companion Plants for Sweet Peas

Here are some of the best companion plants to grow with sweet peas:

Climbing Flower Vines

• Morning glories: These annual vines thrive alongside sweet peas on a shared trellis. Their colorful trumpets add vertical color.

• Hyacinth bean vine: The purple flowers and foliage of this annual vine provide a striking contrast of colors.

• Clematis: The larger blooms of clematis vines complement the smaller sweet peas. Prune it in winter after peas die back.

Shorter Flowering Plants

• Marigolds: A favorite companion for pest control. The vibrant orange, yellow, or red blossoms also add cheer.

• Nasturtiums: This edible flower deters aphids. Trailing types are nice under vines.

• Petunias: These pretty annuals bloom profusely in bright colors and help fill space.

• Sweet alyssum: The low carpet of small white flowers keeps the soil moist and attracts beneficial insects.

• Pansies: Their pretty faces provide colorful ground cover and help suppress weeds.

Vegetable Companions

• Peas: Snap peas interplanted with sweet peas make good use of vertical space.

• Beans: Pole and runner beans planted with sweet peas add nitrogen to the soil.

• Radishes: Easy to grow, fast-maturing root crop that helps deter pests.

• Lettuce: Can be grown in front of peas. Provides shade for soil and fills space.

• Spinach: Another fast grower that benefits from the nitrogen-fixing sweet peas.

Herb Companions

• Mint: Helps mask the sweet pea fragrance that can attract pests.

• Chives: Pretty purple flower heads that attract pollinators.

• Borage: Provides nectar for pollinators and is said to improve pea flavor.

What Not to Plant with Sweet Peas

Some plants inhibit the growth of sweet peas or compete too much for nutrients. Avoid planting these near your sweet peas:

• Onions, garlic, leeks, chives
• Peppers, eggplant
• Cucumbers, squash
• Tomatoes
• Parsley, cilantro
• Broccoli, cauliflower

These combinations crowd sweet peas or hinder access for harvesting. They are better asCrop Rotations following sweet peas.

Creative Companion Planting Combinations

Here are a few inspirational and productive ways to combine sweet peas with beneficial companion plants:

Cottage garden mix: Sweet peas trellised with morning glories, nasturtiums, and marigolds

Edible flowers: Sweet peas with nasturtiums, calendula, borage, and chives

Colorful containers: Sweet peas paired with petunias, lobelia, and trailing nasturtiums

Pollinator magnet: Sweet peas supported by lima beans and bordered by zinnias, cosmos, sweet alyssum

Raised beds: Use sweet peas to create vertical interest bordered by bush beans, spinach, lettuce

Trellis display: Grow sweet peas up one side of a trellis with clematis on the other for a showy screen

Growing Tips for Healthy and Prolific Sweet Peas

Follow these simple tips for success growing sweet peas:

• Plant seeds in early spring once soil reaches 45-50°F.

• Sow seeds 1 inch deep in well-draining soil. Soak seeds 24 hours before planting.

• Sweet peas need support to climb. Install trellises or tepees when planting.

• Water regularly to keep moist. Add mulch around plants to retain moisture.

• Pinch off tips once seedlings reach 6 inches to encourage bushy growth.

• Fertilize with compost tea or fish emulsion when blooms start.

• Pick blooms frequently to encourage more pod production.

• Leave some pods to mature and collect seeds for next year.

Companion planting with sweet peas can be highly rewarding. The right plant partners deter pests, attract pollinators, enrich the soil, and help you maximize space and beauty in your garden.

Use this guide to choose the best companions to grow alongside your sweet peas. With just a little planning, you can create a gorgeous and thriving garden that smells as sweet as it looks.