How to Grow Sweet Pea in New Zealand
A cool-season climber prized for its scent and one of the best cut flowers around. Give it a trellis or teepee, soak the seed overnight before sowing, and pick often to keep it blooming. The flowers are not edible.
When to plant sweet pea in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | March, April, May, June, August, September |
| Auckland | March, April, May, June, August, September |
| Waikato & BoP | March, April, May, June, August, September |
| Wellington | March, April, May, June, August, September |
| Nelson & Marlborough | March, April, May, June, August, September |
| Canterbury | March, April, May, June, August, September |
| Otago & Southland | March, April, May, June, August, September |
| Central Otago | March, April, May, June, August, September |
Best sweet pea varieties for NZ
- Old Spice Mix — Intensely fragrant heirloom blooms in white, pink, crimson, blue, lavender and cream. Heat-tolerant and great for picking. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
- Heaven Scent — Spencer-type mix bred for strong fragrance, big flowers and long stems. A top choice for the vase. (Kings Seeds)
- Spencer Midnight — Deep maroon-purple Spencer with ruffled, scented blooms on long stems. Striking in mixed bunches. (Egmont Seeds)
How to grow sweet pea
- Space plants about 15cm apart.
- Sow seed around 2cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 75 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 10 days.
Companion planting
Grow sweet pea near: Beans, Lettuce.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Aphids, Slugs, Snails. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Sweet Pea plant page.
FAQ
When is the best time to plant sweet pea in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in March, April, May, June, August, September. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy sweet pea seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds.