Also known as Alverja · English Pea · Field Pea
Common Pea (Pisum sativum) is an annual legume crop grown for its edible peas. It's a cool-season vegetable that thrives in well-drained soil and full sun.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and pod production.
Consistent Moisture
75% intensity
Keep soil evenly moist, especially during pod formation. Avoid soggy conditions.
Well-drained loam
50% intensity
Cool to Moderate
75% intensity
Prefers temperatures between 15°C and 21°C. Can tolerate light frost.
Outdoor
50% intensity
Low Nitrogen
25% intensity
Peas fix their own nitrogen. Use a balanced fertilizer low in nitrogen before planting.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and pod development. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
Aim for deep watering less frequently rather than shallow, frequent watering to encourage deeper root growth. Check soil moisture by feel before watering.
Generally, peas do not require pruning. However, you can pinch back the tips of young plants to encourage bushier growth and prevent them from becoming leggy.
Remove any diseased or damaged foliage as it appears to maintain plant health and prevent spread.
Peas are typically propagated by sowing seeds directly into the garden after the last frost. Seeds can be sown about 1 inch (2. 5 cm) deep and 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) apart. They germinate quickly in warm soil.
No other propagation methods are commonly used for this species.
Repotting is not applicable to Pisum sativum as it is an annual vegetable crop typically grown directly in the garden or in containers from which it is harvested. If grown in a container, the entire plant is usually grown to maturity without transplanting.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Common Pea (Pisum sativum)
Where Common Pea (Pisum sativum) is found
Density
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13 known issues from plant disease data
Ascochyta blight on Pea causes dark spots on leaves, stems, and pods that merge into blighted areas and lower seed quality.
Fusarium wilt on Pea causes yellowing, one-sided wilting, stunting, and brown discoloration inside lower stems and roots.
Aphanomyces root rot on Pea causes water-soaked roots that turn honey-brown, leaving plants stunted, yellow, and weak.
Fusarium root rot on Pea causes reddish-brown root lesions, poor stands, yellowing, and weak stunted plants with reduced vigor.
Powdery mildew on Pea coats leaves, stems, and pods with white powdery growth, followed by yellowing and reduced pod fill.
Downy mildew on Pea causes pale leaf patches with grayish growth underneath, along with stunting, curling, and malformed pods.
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Pisum |
| Species | Pisum sativum |
Similar in genus Pisum
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
