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
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