{"product_id":"tuberous-sweetpea-seeds","title":"Tuberous Sweetpea \"Earthnut Pea\" (Lathyrus tuberosus) Seeds – Perennial Vining Legume, Sweet Chestnut-Flavored Edible Tubers, Fragrant Pink Blooms","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e10+ Seeds\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA Sweetpea With a Chestnut Secret\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eMost sweetpeas are grown for flowers alone, prized for fragrance and cut blooms with nothing edible about them. Earthnut Pea is different. Beneath its fragrant pink flowers and climbing vines, this perennial legume produces small, chestnut-flavored tubers along its roots, an edible harvest foraged and cultivated in parts of Europe for centuries. Above ground, it climbs and blooms like an ornamental sweetpea; below ground, it quietly builds a crop few gardeners realize is there. This plant rewards patience with both flowers and food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho Grows Earthnut Pea?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe forager-minded gardener wanting an edible tuber from an ornamental-looking vine.\u003cbr\u003eThe perennial vegetable gardener building a food garden around low-effort crops.\u003cbr\u003eThe cut-flower gardener wanting fragrant pink blooms with an unusual story.\u003cbr\u003eThe heirloom food gardener interested in a historic European foraged tuber.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat This Tuberous Vining Legume Actually Is\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLathyrus tuberosus\u003c\/em\u003e, called earthnut pea or tuberous sweetpea, is a perennial climbing legume native to Europe and western Asia, historically foraged for its small, starchy, chestnut-flavored tubers forming along its spreading roots. The vine climbs by tendrils, reaching several feet with support, and produces clusters of fragrant, deep pink flowers similar to ornamental sweetpea but smaller. Tubers, harvested in fall or after a season or two, are traditionally boiled or roasted and taste notably like chestnut or sweet potato. As with other Lathyrus species, the seeds are not intended as food and should not be eaten in quantity; tubers, not peas, are the traditional edible part. Hardy as a perennial in zones 4 through 8, spreading slowly by seed and rhizome once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the Garden \u0026amp; Kitchen\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoasted or boiled tubers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Harvest fall tubers and roast or boil until tender, chestnut-like.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistoric foraged food:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow to experience a traditional European foraged tuber, rare today.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCut flower use:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut fragrant blooms for small posies, like ornamental sweetpea.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePerennial vertical planting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Train the vine on a trellis for a dual-purpose screen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator support:\u003c\/strong\u003e Let plants flower fully through summer to draw bees to a legume nectar source.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSlow-spreading ground crop:\u003c\/strong\u003e Let an established patch spread by rhizome for an increasing harvest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Earthnut Pea Seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStart method:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soak seeds 24 hours, then direct sow or start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sprouts in 14-21 days; scarifying or soaking improves germination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Best 55-65°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Space plants 12-18 inches apart, allowing room for spreading roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained soil of average fertility; tolerates a range of types.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupport:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide a trellis, fence, or other climbing structure for the vine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Consistent moisture while establishing; drought-tolerant once mature.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow to establish; tubers take a season or two to reach harvestable size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dig tubers in fall after the vine dies back, leaving some in place to expand the patch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reliable to zone 4; a true cold-hardy perennial once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeed note:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow primarily for tubers and flowers; do not rely on the seeds as food.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBefore You Close This Page\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a flower with a genuinely edible secret most gardeners never discover. Earthnut Pea climbs and blooms like an ornamental sweetpea, fragrant pink flowers and all, while quietly producing chestnut-flavored tubers underground. It's a true perennial, spreading slowly and increasing its harvest year after year once established. Give it a trellis, patience, and a season to settle in, then dig tubers each fall for a roasted or boiled treat with real historical roots. Grow the sweetpea that's been hiding a crop in plain sight.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"terramatergardens","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54418235195710,"sku":"11624","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/8836\/7166\/files\/candles-5811.png?v=1789160493","url":"https:\/\/www.terramatergardens.com\/products\/tuberous-sweetpea-seeds","provider":"Terra Mater Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}