How to grow Pea Shoots in New Zealand
Pea shoots are young pea seedlings cut at a week or two old, when the stems, leaves and curly tendrils are sweet, crisp and taste of fresh peas. They are one of the easiest and quickest crops you can grow, on a windowsill tray any month of the year. Sow thickly, keep them moist and cut them at 10 to 14 days.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Pea Shoots in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | All year | |
| Auckland | All year | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | All year | |
| Central North Island | All year | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | All year | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | All year | |
| Canterbury | All year | |
| Otago & Southland | All year | |
| Central Otago | All year |
Not to be confused with: Garden peas grown for their pods, and sweet peas, which are flowers and are not edible. Grow pea shoots only from food-grade or seed peas, never from sweet pea seed.
Where to plant
Grow pea shoots indoors on a bright windowsill or bench, or in a sheltered spot outside in mild weather, out of harsh direct sun. They need no special conditions beyond light, moisture and fresh air, which is why they can be grown all year in any part of New Zealand.
Good airflow matters: dense trays in a warm, stuffy room are prone to mould and damping off.
- All regions: grow pea shoots indoors year round. In cold winter rooms they grow more slowly, and in hot weather keep them out of direct sun and water more often.
Choosing a variety
Any whole dried green peas will sprout, including cheap peas from the bulk bin, but seed sold for microgreens, such as Kings Seeds' Tasty Tendrils, is selected for even germination and plenty of curly tendrils, and has good tolerance to mildew.
How to plant
- Soak the peas in water for an hour, or up to overnight, so they swell and sprout evenly.
- Fill a shallow tray, about 5 cm deep and with drainage holes, with moist seed-raising or potting mix.
- Scatter the peas thickly so they almost touch, press them in and cover with a thin layer of mix. A standard propagation tray takes about 250 g of seed.
- Water gently and keep the mix moist but not soggy. Covering the tray for the first few days helps germination; remove the cover once shoots appear.
- Place in bright light out of harsh sun so the shoots grow sturdy and green.
Watering and feeding
Keep the mix evenly damp, watering gently every day or two. Water from below if you can, by standing the tray in a shallow dish, so the shoots stay dry and mould is less likely.
Pea shoots need no fertiliser; the seed holds all the food they need for their short life.
Harvesting
Cut the shoots with scissors at about 10 to 14 days, when they are 8 to 15 cm tall and before the stems toughen. Cut about 3 cm above the mix, leaving a stub with a leaf or two, and a second, smaller cut is often possible.
Use them fresh in salads, sandwiches and stir-fries, or wilt them briefly. They keep three to four days in a sealed container in the fridge. When the tray is finished, put the roots and mix in the compost.
Growing in pots
Any shallow tray, pot or recycled container about 5 cm deep with drainage holes works. Several small trays sown a few days apart give a steady supply.
Pests and diseases
Mould and damping off, caused by stale air and soggy mix, are the only common problems.
Pea Shoots is rarely troubled by pests.
Diseases to watch for
- Damping off Seedlings collapse at the base, or grey, fluffy mould spreads across the tray. Use fresh mix, do not overwater, and give the tray fresh air.
Common questions
How long do pea shoots take to grow?
About 10 to 14 days from sowing to cutting, a little longer in a cold winter room.
Can I grow pea shoots from supermarket dried peas?
Yes. Whole dried green peas from the bulk bin sprout well. Split peas will not grow.
Will pea shoots grow back after cutting?
Often once. Cut about 3 cm above the mix, leaving a leaf or two on each stem, and a smaller second cut usually follows.
Why is my tray of pea shoots going mouldy?
Usually too much water and too little fresh air. Water from below, keep the mix damp rather than wet, uncover the tray once shoots appear, and keep it in a bright, airy spot.
Can I use sweet pea seeds for pea shoots?
No. Sweet peas are flowering plants and are not safe to eat. Use garden pea seed or food-grade dried peas.
Sources we checked: Kings Seeds NZ: Pea Tasty Tendrils microgreen.