Pisum sativum

Pisum sativum (garden pea) — one of the oldest crops in cultivation and the plant Mendel used to found genetics. Shelling, mangetout and sugarsnap types in our pea range.

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  • Snap Pea Delikett seeds (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable Snap Pea Delikett (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    17%
    Snap Pea Seeds Delikett Pisum Sativum Annual Variety
    $5.00$6.00

    Snap pea seeds for patios and balconies snap pea seeds are a practical choice for small-space vegetable growing, and the Delikett snap pea variety is well suited to patios, balconies, and compact gardens. This annual...
  • Sugar Peas De Grace seeds (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable Sugar Peas De Grace (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    17%
    Sugar Peas Seeds De Grace Pisum Sativum Annual Variety
    $5.00$6.00

    De Grace variety for compact garden harvests sugar peas seeds ‘De Grace’ are an annual vegetable choice for gardeners who want neat, productive plants without the need for supports. This dwarf pea variety stays reasonably...
  • Karina Pea seeds (Pisum sativum) – organic annual vegetable Karina Pea (Pisum sativum) – organic annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Karina Pea Seeds Organic Pisum Sativum Annual
    $8.00

    Organic Karina pea seeds for productive gardens karina pea seeds are an organic, annual vegetable seed for gardeners who want a reliable karina garden pea variety with a compact, tidy habit. This cultivar forms dwarf...
  • Pea Karina seeds (Pisum sativum) – organic annual vegetable Pea Karina (Pisum sativum) – organic annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Pea Karina Seeds Organic Pisum Sativum Annual
    $9.00

    Organic pea variety for productive kitchen gardens pea karina seeds are an organic, annual vegetable choice for gardeners who want a reliable shelling pea for home harvests. This is a wrinkled pea variety with a...
  • Peas American Wonder seeds (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable Peas American Wonder (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Peas American Wonder Seeds Pisum Sativum Annual Variety
    $6.00

    Compact pea plants with sweet, wrinkled pods peas american wonder seeds are a classic annual vegetable choice for gardeners who want a compact, reliable pea for beds and small plots. This dwarf pea variety seeds...
  • Peas Vidor seeds (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable Peas Vidor (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Peas Vidor Seeds Pisum Sativum Annual
    $6.00

    Peas Vidor Seeds for Productive Garden Rows peas vidor seeds are a reliable choice for gardeners looking for a vidor shelling pea variety with consistent performance in the vegetable patch. This annual garden pea is...
  • Pea Shoots Microgreens seeds (Pisum sativum) – annual microgreens Pea Shoots Microgreens (Pisum sativum) – annual microgreens seeds from SeedsChoice
    17%
    Pea Shoots Seeds Pisum Sativum Annual Microgreens
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    Pea microgreens for fresh indoor harvests pea shoots seeds are a popular choice for producing tender, sweet-tasting baby leaf greens in a compact space. These annual microgreens are valued for their crisp stems and young...
  • Pea Ezethas Krombek Blue Podded seeds (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable Pea Ezethas Krombek Blue Podded (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Pea Seeds Ezethas Krombek Blue Podded Pisum Sativum Annual
    $6.00

    Blue Podded Pea Seeds For Climbing Growth Pea seeds ‘Ezetha’s Krombek Blue Podded’ are annual vegetable seeds selected for vigorous, climbing pea plants and distinctive blue-tinged pods. This blue podded pea variety is grown as...
  • Sugar Peas Grijze Roodbloeiende seeds (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable Sugar Peas Grijze Roodbloeiende (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    17%
    Sugar Peas Seeds Pisum Sativum Annual Grijze Roodbloeiende
    $5.00$6.00

    Climbing sugar peas with purple red flowers sugar peas seeds are a classic choice for an annual vegetable garden, valued for their tender pods and decorative blooms. This climbing pea variety develops vigorous vines that...
  • Sugar Peas Heraut seeds (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable Sugar Peas Heraut (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Sugar Peas Seeds Heraut Pisum Sativum Annual
    $6.00

    Sweet, tender pods from an early annual Sugar peas seeds ‘Heraut’ are a vigorous annual vegetable choice for gardeners who enjoy long, light green pods with a pleasantly sweet flavour and tender texture. This is...
  • Sugar Pea Norli seeds (Pisum sativum) – organic annual vegetable Sugar Pea Norli (Pisum sativum) – organic annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Sugar Pea Norli Seeds Organic Pisum Sativum Annual
    $8.00

    Organic mangetout pea seeds for neat pods sugar pea norli seeds are an organic, annual vegetable choice for gardeners who want a reliable mangetout type with smooth, tender pods. This variety is known for producing...
  • Peas Kermesse seeds (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable Peas Kermesse (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Peas Kermesse Seeds Pisum Sativum Annual
    $8.00

    Peas Kermesse Seeds for Outdoor Vegetable Beds peas kermesse seeds are an annual vegetable seed peas selection grown for classic shelling peas in the home garden. This dwarf pea variety develops in a compact, bushy...
  • Peas Record seeds (Pisum sativum) – organic annual vegetable Peas Record (Pisum sativum) – organic annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Peas Record Seeds Organic Pisum Sativum Annual
    $6.00

    Organic Record peas for early tender pods peas record seeds are an organic vegetable choice for gardeners who want a reliable, early podding pea variety with generous, tender pods. This snow pea variety Record is...
  • Peas Marktveroveraar seeds (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable Peas Marktveroveraar (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Peas Marktveroveraar Seeds Pisum Sativum Annual Variety
    $6.00

    Peas variety for tall, productive garden plants peas marktveroveraar seeds are an annual vegetable choice for growers looking for a vigorous, climbing garden pea with a strong vining habit. This shelling pea variety is known...
  • Sugar Pea Sweetsalome seeds (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable Sugar Pea Sweetsalome (Pisum sativum) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Sugar Pea Seeds Sweetsalome Pisum Sativum Annual
    $8.00

    Large light green pods for tender harvest sugar pea seeds sweetsalome are an annual vegetable choice for gardeners who enjoy crisp, edible pods picked young. This large pod pea variety is known for its striking...

Pisum sativum — the garden pea

Pisum sativum is the botanical name for the garden pea, a cool-season climbing legume and one of the oldest crops in cultivation. Sweet and tender, it is the species behind our whole pea range within the peas and beans collection.

History & origin

The pea is among the very first plants humans ever farmed, domesticated in the Fertile Crescent of the Near East and the eastern Mediterranean around 10,000 years ago, at the dawn of agriculture itself. For most of history peas were grown to be dried and stored as a winter staple; the fashion for eating sweet, fresh green peas only took hold in Europe a few centuries ago.

The pea also holds a special place in science: in the 1860s the monk Gregor Mendel used Pisum sativum in his garden experiments to work out the basic laws of inheritance, founding the study of genetics. Its name is simply the classical Latin pisum (pea) with sativum, “cultivated.”

Botanical characteristics

A climbing annual that clings by tendrils, the pea fixes its own nitrogen as a legume and so needs little feeding. There are three main kinds: shelling peas, podded for the sweet peas inside; mangetout, eaten flat and whole; and sugarsnaps, eaten whole when plump. Most appreciate twiggy support like their cousins the climbing beans, while dwarf types are quick enough to feature among our fast-growing vegetables.

Growing Pisum sativum from seed

Peas love cool weather, so they are among the first crops sown each year — from early spring, with hardy types even sown in autumn. Sow direct into cool, moist soil, give support early, and pick often once the pods fill to keep the plants productive. Sown thickly, peas also give sweet, tender shoots for salads in just weeks. Our vegetable sowing calendar shows the windows and our soil guide helps you prepare the bed.

Ready to grow peas? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Peas · Peas & Beans · Climbing Beans · Bush Beans · Fast-Growing Veg

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pisum sativum?
It is the botanical name for the garden pea, a cool-season climbing legume.

Where do peas originate?
From the Fertile Crescent of the Near East and Mediterranean, farmed around 10,000 years ago.

Why is the pea famous in science?
Gregor Mendel used it in the 1860s to discover the basic laws of inheritance, founding genetics.

What are the types of pea?
Shelling peas for podding, mangetout eaten flat and whole, and sugarsnaps eaten whole when plump.

When do I sow peas?
Early — they like cool weather, so sow from early spring, with some hardy types sown in autumn.