Flat pea

Lathyrus sylvestris

Climber1.5×2.5 mzone 5–10full shade

Will it grow where I live?

Flat pea is hardy to zone 5 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 5 upwards. It also needs warm summers – in Central Europe that means wine-growing regions, cities or a sheltered south-facing wall.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family: Fabaceae
Habit: Climber
Height: 1.5 m
Spread: 2.5 m
Growth: medium
Lifespan: 10 years
First yield: after 2 years
Hardiness: zone 5–10
Shade tolerance: full shade
Soil: Sand, Silt, Loam
Soil moisture: semi-dry – very moist
pH: 6 – 8

Uses

Medicinal2 of 10

Other uses5 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Flat pea: how big does it get?

Flat pea (Lathyrus sylvestris) grows as a Climber and reaches roughly 1.5 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 2.5 m. Growth is medium.

Flat pea: what site does it need?

Flat pea tolerates full shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam. Soil moisture should be in the range semi-dry – very moist. The pH may lie between 6 and 8.

Flat pea: is it hardy?

Flat pea is listed as hardy in zone 5–10 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Flat pea: will it grow in Central Europe?

Flat pea: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Flat pea. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Flat pea: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Medicinal 2/10, Other uses 5/10.

Community experience

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