Flower Encyclopedia
Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratus
Ruffled, delicate blooms with an intense, honeyed fragrance — a spring luxury.
Written by the Burton Floral Design team · Published July 24, 2026
At A Glance
Typical vase life
3–5 days
Availability
Seasonal
Peak months
Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Cost
Premium
Fragrance
Strong
Pollen
Low
Care
Needs attention
Out of water
Under 2 hours
Heat tolerance
Low
Cold tolerance
High
Outdoor events
Fair
Around pets
Use caution
Pets in the house? Use caution.
Sweet peas are in the legume family, and the seeds and pods are the parts of real concern — Lathyrus seeds contain a compound that can be harmful if eaten. Keep arrangements well out of reach, and contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service if a pet chews on them.
What It Means
Sweet peas symbolize blissful pleasure, gratitude, and gentle goodbyes — they were the traditional flower for saying thank you and for wishing someone well as they departed. Their tender form and rich scent make them a flower of fond farewells and delicate affection.
Colors it comes in
white · cream · pink · lavender · purple · coral · burgundy · blue
Coordinates beautifully with
fresh greens · ivory · blush · lilac
Season & Sourcing
Sweet peas are a fleeting spring flower, best from roughly March through June with the peak in mid-spring. Supply is short and the blooms are fragile, so they are often ordered ahead rather than kept in stock.
Vase life, honestly
Sweet peas are short-lived by nature — three to five days is typical. Buy them with some buds still closed, keep them cool, and enjoy them knowing they are meant to be a brief pleasure.
Fragrance
Sweet peas are prized for their intense, honeyed fragrance, one of the most beloved scents in the flower world — worth weighing for scent-sensitive settings.
Keeping It Alive
- 1Recut stems at an angle and place them straight into cool water.
- 2Handle gently — the stems and blooms are extremely delicate.
- 3Keep them cool and out of direct sun to extend their short life.
- 4Change the water every day or two and use flower food.
- 5Remove faded blooms promptly to encourage the buds to open.
What it costs: Sweet peas are a premium seasonal flower — short supply, fragility, and a brief window keep prices high even at peak. They are a spring splurge rather than an everyday bloom.
Where It Shines
At weddings
Sweet peas bring soft romance and unmatched fragrance to spring bouquets, and their ruffled blooms photograph beautifully in loose, garden-style designs. Because they are delicate and short-lived, they are prepared close to the event day and used as accent rather than structure.
In sympathy work
Their traditional meaning of gentle farewell and gratitude makes sweet peas a tender, if delicate, choice for smaller sympathy pieces and arrangements sent to the home.
Every day
A luxurious spring treat for a small bud vase or a fragrant hand-tied posy. A little bunch on a bedside table fills the room with scent.
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A Little History
Lathyrus odoratus is native to Sicily and the Mediterranean and was introduced to British horticulture in the late 1600s. The Victorian and Edwardian sweet pea craze, driven especially by breeder Henry Eckford in the late 1800s, produced many of the ruffled, fragrant varieties grown today.
Questions People Ask
Why do sweet peas last such a short time?
They are naturally short-lived cut flowers, lasting about three to five days. Buying stems with closed buds, keeping them cool, and changing the water helps you get the most from them.
When can I get sweet peas?
Mainly in spring, roughly March through June, with a short peak in mid-spring. Outside that window, ranunculus or freesia can offer a similar soft, fragrant feel.
Why do sweet peas smell so strong?
Fragrance is their defining trait — a rich, honeyed scent bred and prized for centuries. A small bunch can perfume an entire room.
Are sweet peas a concern around pets?
Yes — as legumes, their seeds and pods contain a compound that can be harmful if eaten. Keep arrangements out of reach and call your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service if a pet chews on them.
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