Sweet Pea Shell Pink
Sweet Pea 'Shell Pink'
Lathyrus odoratus
Details
Plant type: Hardy annual
Height: 6-8 feet
Plant spacing: 6-8”
Site: full sun (or partial afternoon shade in hotter zones)
Soil & Water: fertile and moist, but well-draining
Pinch: when there are 4 pairs of true leaves
Approx Shell Pink Sweet Pea seeds per packet: 10
Note: Shell Pink is slow to germinate and may you may need to 'nick' the seeds to increase germination.
✂️ How to nick or abrade the seed coat
- Hold the seed steady — place it on a hard surface or grip it gently with tweezers.
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Choose your method:
- Blade or nail clipper: Shave a tiny sliver off the seed coat at the end opposite the hilum (eye). You just want to reveal a lighter patch of the inner layer—don’t cut deeply.
- Sandpaper method: Place a small piece of fine-grit sandpaper (around 120–220 grit) on a flat surface and gently rub the seed back and forth at the end opposite the hilum (eye) until you see a lighter spot appear. This is safer and gentler for beginners.
- Stop immediately if you see white, as that indicates the embryo.
Choose options
Safety: Sweet peas, just like many plants we grow in our gardens, are toxic. Sweet pea seeds and any part of the plant should not be ingested.
Featured product
PREORDER ONLY - ROOTRAINERS SHIP OUT IN MID DECEMBER
These are the same Rootrainers I use here at Sweet Pea Gardens. I rely on them season after season to start my sweet peas seeds — and they’ve outlasted every hobby tray I’ve ever tried.
Each set includes one sturdy tray and eight hinged books that open like a little greenhouse journal, revealing strong roots. The design encourages deep root systems, minimizes shock at transplanting, and lasts for years.
This is a professional-grade Rootrainer system — built to withstand repeated use, with heavier plastic and a sturdier design than typical consumer trays.
Includes:
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1 reusable tray (3.5″ deep)
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8 “books” (4 cells per book = 32 cells total)
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Comes ready assembled
Product Details:
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Tray depth: 3.5″ (approx. 8.9 cm)
- Cell depth: 5"
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Cells per book: 4 × 8 books (32 cells total)
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Material: durable, reusable plastic
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Long-lasting professional quality