Everlasting Pea

Everlasting Pea loves moist, well-drained soil, and should receive ample water. It appreciates regularly moist soil, so make sure to consistently water the vine without over-saturating its root system. It will tolerate occasional dryness, but try to keep the soil relatively moist. Water as needed, about once or twice a week.

The Everlasting Pea prefers bright, filtered light and does moderately well in full sun, typically growing in zones 2-9. The leaves of this plant are susceptible to sunburn if grown in direct contact with sun, so some cultivation in more shaded areas may be better. If the foliage gets too much direct sunlight, it can become pale and leggy without any flower production.

The Everlasting Pea thrives in temperatures between 60 to 85°F (16 to 29°C) and does not tolerate below freezing temperatures. It may survive mild frost, but may not flower as much as in warmer temperatures.

Humidity of 40-65% is ideal for the Everlasting Pea. Too little humidity can cause stress to the plant with the leaves becoming brown, while too much can lead to fungal diseases on the foliage. Make sure to mist the foliage with water frequently to boost the moisture of the air.

Everlasting Pea grows best in moderately fertile, well-drained soil with moderately acidic pH. It should not be planted in soil with poor drainage, as the plant is susceptible to root rot in wet or soggy soil.

Feed the Everlasting Pea in early spring with a balanced liquid fertilizer. During the growing season, supplement weekly with an all-purpose fertilizer and use a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen but higher in phosphorous and potassium to promote flowering in late spring and early summer.

Like many other plants, Everlasting Pea is susceptible to leaf-eating pests such as caterpillars, aphids and leaf miners. It is best to treat any pest infestations as soon as possible. Keep a look out for pests and if you see any, you can wash them off with a strong stream of water or manually pick them off with tweezers. Insecticidal soap and neem oil are also effective as a treatment.

When it outgrows its pot, repot it every two years in early spring. Repotting in spring ensures that the new potting mixture will not dry out too quickly. When repotting, choose a pot that is only slightly bigger than the previous one and use a rich and well-draining potting mix.

The Everlasting Pea does not require pruning, but it may help to remove dead or diseased foliage. Pruning can also be done to encourage more flowers and to shape the vines to keep them within bounds. Prune in the late winter while the plants are dormant to maintain its form.

Mulching can help to retain moisture and reduce weeds in the area around the everlasting pea and maintain soil temperature. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch such as bark or straw around the plant to keep weeds away. Leave a space of several inches between the mulch and the base of the plant.

Propagation of Everlasting Pea can be done either by division or seeds. For division, gently divide the rootstock in spring when repotting. Plant the separate sections at the same depth as the main plant. Seeds can be sowed directly into the garden in early spring and lightly raked in. Seeds will germinate in 10-14 days and should be kept moist until plants appear.

The Everlasting Pea requires staking or other means of support as it grows and vines. Usually, wood, metal, or bamboo stakes are placed in the pot or ground near the plant. To ensure that the stems are not damaged, use soft ties, such as cloth strips, when tying the stems to the stakes.

This plant does not require a rest period; Everlasting Pea can be grown outdoors year-round if temperatures remain steady. If growing it indoors, take it outside in spring for some fresh air.

No, this plant is not popularly known to be toxic to pets.