Plants That Look Like Peas

If you’re looking for plants that look like peas, you’re probably charmed by those delicate, climbing tendrils and compound leaves. Many wonderful plants share this classic pea family (Fabaceae) look, offering beauty, nitrogen-fixing benefits, and sometimes even edible harvests.

This guide will help you identify and grow these elegant vines and shrubs. We’ll cover popular ornamental and edible varieties, their care needs, and how to support their graceful growth.

This group includes both close relatives and botanical look-alikes. The true pea family members have distinctive flowers and seed pods, while others simply mimic the foliage and growth habit.

True Members of the Pea Family (Fabaceae)

These plants are botanical cousins to your garden pea. They share key features like pinnate leaves, tendrils, and often flowers that resemble sweet peas.

Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus): The classic ornamental. Grown for its fragrant, colorful flowers in spring. It has the quintessential pea-like leaves and clinging tendrils. Note: Seeds are poisonous if ingested.
Perennial Pea (Lathyrus latifolius): A hardy, long-lived vine with showy pink or white flowers. It lacks fragrance but makes up for it with vigorous growth and heat tolerance.
Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus sylvestris): Another perennial type, great for naturalizing in cottage gardens. It’s a tough plant that comes back year after year.
Blue Pea Vine (Clitoria ternatea): A stunning tropical vine known for its vibrant blue flowers. It’s used to make herbal tea and is a beautiful annual in cooler climates.

Edible Plants That Resemble Pea Plants

These are the productive members of the family. You’ll recognize the growth form immediately, but the harvest is the real prize.

Snap Peas and Snow Peas: These are actual peas (Pisum sativum) bred for edible pods. They have the most familiar look, with delicate tendrils that need support.
Beans (Pole Varieties): Many pole beans, like scarlet runner beans, have leaves and twining stems very similar to peas. Their tendrils are strong and seek out support quickly.
Lentils (Lens culinaris): As a young plant, lentils look almost identical to pea seedlings. They are a bushy annual, not a climber, but the leaves and flowers are a perfect match.
Fava Beans (Vicia faba): These are more upright plants but they possess the same compound leaves and don’t have tendrils. The flowers are strikingly similar to ornamental peas.

Ornamental Look-Alikes (Not in the Pea Family)

Some plants have evolved a similar vining form with tendrils. This is called convergent evolution, where unrelated plants develop similar traits.

Cobaea scandens (Cup-and-Saucer Vine): Its young foliage is often mistaken for a pea plant. The tendrils are expert climbers, though the mature leaves and large bell flowers are quite different.
Some Clematis Species: Certain clematis, especially the herbaceous types, have leaf stalks that act like tendrils to clasp supports. The leaf arrangement can remind you of peas.
Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia): This vigorous vine has heart-shaped leaves, but its young growth and climbing habit can give a initial impression similiar to a large-leaved pea.

How to Grow and Care for Pea-Like Plants

Most of these plants thrive under similar conditions. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure success.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Location

Almost all these plants prefer full sun to partial shade. They need at least 6 hours of sunlight for good flowering and pod production. Ensure the site has well-draining soil; waterlogged roots will cause problems.

Step 2: Preparing the Soil

Pea family plants are nitrogen-fixers, meaning they pull nitrogen from the air with help from bacteria. You don’t need a high-nitrogen fertilizer. Instead, focus on organic matter.

Work in several inches of compost or aged manure into the top 6-8 inches of soil.
Aim for a neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH (6.0-7.5).
If planting true peas, cool-season crops, sow them as soon as the soil can be worked in spring.

Step 3: Providing Support

This is crucial for the climbing varieties with those delicate tendrils. Install supports at planting time to avoid damaging roots later.

Pea Netting or Trellis: Ideal for sweet peas and edible peas. The tendrils need thin strings or wires to wrap around.
Obelisks and Teepees: Great for ornamental peas and beans in container gardens or flower beds.
Fences and Arbors: Perfect for perennial peas and vigorous vines like blue pea vine. Make sure the structure is sturdy.

Step 4: Planting and Watering

Sow seeds directly in the garden for most types. Soaking seeds overnight can improve germination for hard-coated varieties like sweet peas.

Water deeply and consistently, especially when plants are flowering and forming pods. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Mulching helps retain moisture and keeps roots cool.

Step 5: Ongoing Maintenance

Regular picking encourages more production on edible varieties. For ornamentals like sweet peas, deadheading (removing spent flowers) is essential to prolong the blooming season.

Watch for pests like aphids, which are attracted to tender new growth. A strong spray of water from the hose is often enough to dislodge them. Powdery mildew can be an issue in humid weather; ensure good air circulation.

Benefits of Growing These Plants

Why should you add these plants to your garden? The reasons are numerous.

Soil Health: True legumes fix nitrogen, enriching your soil for other plants.
Vertical Interest: They maximize space, growing up instead of out, which is perfect for small gardens.
Pollinator Friendly: The flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects to your yard.
Easy to Grow: Many, especially sweet peas and snap peas, are rewarding for beginner gardeners.
Versatile Beauty: They provide a soft, cottage-garden aesthetic with their fine texture and colorful blooms.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even easy plants can face issues. Here’s a quick troubleshooting list.

Poor Germination

This is often due to planting old seeds or sowing in soil that’s too warm or cold. Always check the ideal temperature for your specific plant. Try inoculating seeds with rhizobia bacteria before planting legumes; it can really boost performance.

Yellowing Leaves

If lower leaves turn yellow, it might be overwatering or a normal aging process. If new growth is yellow, the soil might be too alkaline, locking up iron. A soil test can clarify this.

Lack of Flowers or Pods

Too much nitrogen fertilizer can cause all leaf, no flower. Remember, these plants make their own nitrogen. Also, extreme heat can cause blossoms to drop without setting fruit. Providing afternoon shade in hot climates can help.

FAQ About Pea-Looking Plants

Q: Are all plants that look like peas edible?
A: No, this is very important. Ornamental sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are poisonous. Always positively identify a plant before considering eating any part of it.

Q: Can I grow these plants in containers?
A: Absolutely. Choose a deep pot and provide a strong support like a small obelisk. Dwarf or bush varieties of peas and beans are especially well-suited.

Q: Do they come back every year?
A: Most common garden peas and beans are annuals. Perennial peas (Lathyrus latifolius) are a notable exception and will return for several years.

Q: What’s the best way to save seeds from them?
A> For edible peas and beans, let some pods dry completely on the vine. Then, shell them and store the dry seeds in a cool, dark place. For ornamentals, research the specific plant, as some hybrids may not grow true from saved seed.

Q: Why are my plant’s tendrils not grabbing the support?
A> The tendrils need something thin enough to wrap around. If you’re using a thick wooden post, they may struggle. Add some netting or string for them to latch onto. Sometimes they just need a little initial guidance; you can gently twist them onto the support.

Incorporating plants that look like peas into your garden adds a layer of charm and functionality. Whether you choose fragrant sweet peas for cutting, crunchy snap peas for eating, or the stunning blue pea vine for a tropical touch, their delicate tendrils and graceful growth will bring vertical beauty to your space. With the right support and basic care, these climbers will reward you with a spectacular display.