White Pea (Lathyrus sativus): A Historic Legume for Modern Gardens
Meet the white pea, a charming annual legume that’s been quietly making its way through North American gardens for generations. Also known as chickling vetch, this unassuming plant carries quite a bit of history in its delicate tendrils and petite flowers.
What Exactly Is White Pea?
White pea (Lathyrus sativus) is an annual forb herb that belongs to the legume family. Unlike woody plants, this little climber stays soft and herbaceous throughout its life, using its clever tendrils to scramble up supports or sprawl across the ground. Think of it as the more delicate cousin of your garden peas, with a similar growing habit but a completely different personality.
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
Originally from the Mediterranean region and parts of Europe and Asia, white pea has established itself as a non-native species across several North American locations. You can find naturalized populations in California, Ontario, Quebec, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Wisconsin, where it reproduces on its own and tends to stick around year after year.
Should You Grow White Pea in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get interesting. White pea isn’t native to North America, but it’s also not considered invasive or particularly problematic. This puts it in that neutral zone where the choice really comes down to your gardening goals and personal preferences.
The Case for Growing White Pea
- Historic interest: This plant has been cultivated for thousands of years as a food crop
- Pollinator friendly: The small flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects
- Low maintenance: Once established, it’s quite drought tolerant
- Nitrogen fixing: Like other legumes, it actually improves soil fertility
- Cottage garden charm: Adds a delicate, old-fashioned feel to informal plantings
Consider Native Alternatives Instead
If you’re focused on supporting native ecosystems, consider these native legumes that offer similar benefits:
- Wild lupine (Lupinus perennis) for similar flowers and nitrogen fixing
- American groundnut (Apios americana) for climbing habit and edible tubers
- Wild senna (Senna hebecarpa) for pollinator support and interesting seed pods
Growing White Pea Successfully
If you decide to give white pea a try, you’ll find it’s refreshingly easy to grow. This adaptable annual thrives in a range of conditions and doesn’t ask for much fussing.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained soil, tolerates poor conditions
- Water: Moderate moisture, drought tolerant once established
- Hardiness: Annual that can be grown in USDA zones 2-10
Planting and Care Tips
- Direct sow seeds in spring after the last frost
- Plant seeds about 1 inch deep and 2-3 inches apart
- Provide support for climbing, or let it sprawl as ground cover
- Water regularly until established, then reduce frequency
- May self-seed in favorable conditions
- Generally pest and disease free
Design Ideas and Garden Roles
White pea works well in cottage gardens, naturalized areas, or even food gardens where you want to experiment with heritage crops. Its climbing habit makes it useful for covering low fences or trellises, while its ground-covering tendency works well in informal plantings where you want something different from the usual suspects.
The small white or pale blue flowers aren’t showstoppers, but they add a subtle charm that pairs beautifully with other cottage garden favorites. Plus, the nitrogen-fixing roots actually improve your soil while the plant grows.
The Bottom Line
White pea occupies an interesting middle ground in the gardening world. It’s not native, but it’s not problematic either. It’s historically significant but not commonly grown. It’s useful but not essential. Whether you choose to grow it really depends on your gardening philosophy and what you’re trying to achieve in your landscape.
If you’re drawn to heritage plants with interesting stories, enjoy experimenting with unusual legumes, or simply want something different for your cottage garden, white pea might be worth a try. Just remember that supporting native plant communities is always a great goal, so consider mixing it with native alternatives or dedicating most of your space to indigenous species that local wildlife truly depend on.
