Sweet Pea 'Candyfloss'

At a Glance

Sweet Pea ‘Candy Floss’

Quick Facts

• Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
• Classification: Spencer
• Petal Pattern: Flush / Solid
• Color Profile: Varies by release (ranging from a delicate rose-pink flush over a white ground, to a solid soft orange-pink)
• Fragrance: Mild to moderate
• Breeder: Carters / E.W. King & F.B. Richardson / Dr. Keith Hammett
• Year Introduced: 1967, 1986, and 2018
• Flowering Type: Summer-flowering (Long-day)

Overview

The cheerful, nostalgic moniker 'Candy Floss' has actually been bestowed upon several distinct sweet pea introductions over the past few decades. True to their name, these blossoms typically present a sweet, confectionery-like aesthetic, most often characterized by beautifully ruffled Spencer petals featuring a crisp white canvas delicately brushed with rose or bright pink. Regardless of the specific lineage you happen to be growing, these vines bring a delicate, romantic charm to both summer gardens and cut floral arrangements.

Growth Habit

Operating as classic members of the Spencer family, these plants demonstrate a highly energetic, tall-climbing growth pattern that absolutely requires a sturdy vertical trellis. They are highly valued by floral enthusiasts for their ability to reliably generate the long, straight stems that are perfect for harvesting. Because they fall into the summer-blooming category, they rely heavily on the prolonged daylight hours of the season—typically twelve hours or more—to successfully trigger their prolific flowering phase.

Cultivation Notes

To guarantee the strongest and deepest root system, you should always start your seeds in tall, narrow cells or root-trainers rather than shallow flats. When the young vines reach approximately four to six inches in height, carefully snip off the main growing tip. This critical pruning step forces the plant to push out robust, productive lateral vines from its base, ultimately giving you a much sturdier and higher-yielding plant.

Because ideal planting windows vary drastically based on your local climate, be sure to use our Custom Zip-Code Planting Tool to identify the optimal sowing week for your specific region.

Historical Notes

The historical registries reveal a fascinating timeline for this namesake, highlighting how certain evocative names are periodically recycled by the floral trade. The name 'Candy Floss' first appeared in 1967 for a rose-flushed white Spencer introduced by Carters. Nearly two decades later, in 1986, E.W. King and F.B. Richardson released another pink-on-white version under the exact same title. Finally, the name was resurrected once again in 2018 by the celebrated New Zealand breeder Dr. Keith Hammett (spelled as a single word, 'Candyfloss') for a lovely soft orange-pink creation.

In the Garden

‘Candy Floss’ is frequently grown for:

• Providing premium, long-stemmed pink cuts for professional floristry
• Bringing vigorous vertical growth and sweet, pastel colors to garden trellises
• Adding elegant, ruffled textures to mixed seasonal bouquets

Companion Planting Notes

The soothing, sweet pink shades of this cultivar provide a magnificent visual contrast when placed next to deep, moody purples (such as 'Almost Black') or crisp white sweet peas. For a highly textured and ethereal floral arrangement, these pink blooms look incredibly striking when styled alongside classic, airy fillers such as creeping baby's breath (Gypsophila repens) or the flat, lace-like heads of wild carrot (Daucus carota).