Photo: vinceconnare, CC BY 2.0 · source
Pruning guide · Climber
Sweet pea: when and how to prune
Lathyrus odoratus
Sweet pea is best pruned in April and June–September.
| Pruning months | April and June–September |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in April and June–August |
| Flowering | June–September |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Sweet pea: when to prune it?
Pinch out in April; remove faded flowers from June to September.
What else to prune in those months? April · June · July · August · September
Sweet pea: how to prune it?
- Pinch out young plants above the third or fourth pair of leaves for more stems.
- Every few days, pick flowers or cut off faded ones before pods form.
- Clear the plants after flowering; you can leave the roots with their nodules in the soil.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: April and June–September. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in April and June–August can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
Caution: If you let pods ripen for seed, flowering stops on those stems.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.