How to Grow Sweet Pea Matucana
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Sweet Pea Matucana
Lathyrus odoratus 'Matucana'
flowerMatucana is a heritage variety of sweet pea known for its deep burgundy-purple flowers with a rich, intense fragrance. This climbing annual vine produces ruffled blossoms on long stems ideal for cutting and arranging. It's a vigorous grower that typically reaches 5-6 feet in height and has been grown since the 1800s.
When should you plant Sweet Pea Matucana in your zone?
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Example Sweet Pea Matucana timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Sweet Pea Matucana
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Sweet Pea Matucana blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sweet Pea Matucana dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Cool-season annual thriving in zones 2-9; prefers cooler climates and is often treated as a spring/fall crop in warmer regions
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Get my Sweet Pea Matucana timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
10-14 days to germination; 2-3 weeks to true leavesSeeds sprout with two oval cotyledons; seedlings develop their first true leaves
Maintain moist soil at 55-65°F; provide good air circulation to prevent damping off; thin seedlings to proper spacing
Budding
2-3 weeksFlower buds begin forming in the leaf axils; plant continues climbing and producing new growth
Continue supporting vines; maintain regular watering; reduce nitrogen fertilizer and increase phosphorus to encourage flowering
Flowering
8-12 weeks depending on temperature and deadheadingDeep burgundy-purple flowers appear in clusters of 4-6 per stem; intensely fragrant blooms unfold from bottom to top
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to extend blooming; cut flowers frequently for arrangements—cutting stimulates more blooms; maintain steady water supply; support heavy flower clusters
Seed Pod & Decline
Varies; typically 2-4 weeks until plant stops producingIf flowers are not cut or deadheaded, seed pods develop and plant begins to senesce; flowering slows significantly
Allow some flowers to set seed if saving seed is desired; otherwise remove pods to extend bloom time; plant declines in hot weather; may benefit from light pruning to rejuvenate
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
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Increase humidity; spray with neem oil or miticide; avoid overhead watering that can promote mites
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Ensure good air circulation; spray with sulfur or baking soda solution; remove infected foliage; avoid wetting leaves
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Hand-pick in early morning; use copper tape around stems; apply diatomaceous earth; beer traps
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Install protective barriers around young plants; use snap traps; keep area clear of debris; protect seeds at sowing
Uses
Edible flowers for garnish
CulinarySweet pea flowers are edible and mildly sweet, perfect for garnishing salads, desserts, and beverages. Ensure flowers are grown without pesticides if intended for consumption. [source]
Cut flower arrangements and fragrance
HouseholdMatucana's deep burgundy color and intense perfume make it a prized cutting flower for floral arrangements, bouquets, and fragrant indoor displays. The scent fills an entire room. [source]
Pressed flowers and dried arrangements
CraftSweet pea flowers can be pressed in books for crafts or dried hanging upside-down to create lasting floral arrangements and botanical art projects. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeSweet pea flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making them valuable for supporting local pollinator populations in gardens. [source]
Traditional herbal use
MedicinalHistorically, sweet pea flowers have been used in traditional herbal medicine and Victorian floral remedies, though modern scientific evidence is limited. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cut flowers in early morning when stems are turgid and blooms are freshly opened. Cut stems 5-6 inches long just above a leaf node to encourage branching. Recut stems under running water and immediately place in cool water with floral preservative. Sweet peas last 7-10 days in a vase. Deadhead spent flowers religiously to maintain continuous blooming throughout the season. If saving seeds, allow some pods to mature on the plant and dry completely before harvesting; pods turn papery brown when ready.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Matucana is a heritage variety dating back to the 1890s, originally named after a district in Peru where wild sweet pea ancestors are found
- 🌱 Sweet pea fragrance is so potent that the 'Matucana' variety was used by Victorian gardeners specifically for cutting and selling at markets for its superior scent
- 🌱 Unlike many ornamental flowers, sweet peas have a fascinating growth strategy: their tendrils can sense touch and coil around supports within minutes of contact
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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