What hardiness zones is Pisum sativum 'Sugar Snap' suitable for?

Pisum sativum 'Sugar Snap' is a cool-season annual vine grown for its edible, sweet, crisp whole pods and seeds. Plants reach 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 m) tall with support; growth is rapid in cool weather. The habit is twining-climbing, with tendrils that require a trellis, fence, or netting for support. Leaves are blue-green, pinnately compound with 2–3 pairs of leaflets and terminal tendrils. Flowers are white, 0.6–0.8 inch (1.5–2 cm), typical pea-form (papilionaceous), appearing in April–June. Pods are 3 inches (7.5 cm) long, round in cross-section, thick-walled, bright green, harvested when fully rounded — the thick pod wall remains sweet and edible at full size, distinguishing Sugar Snap from snow peas (thin-walled, harvested flat) and shelling peas (pods not eaten). Days to first harvest are 60–70 from direct sowing. In the Pacific Northwest, plants are direct-sown as soon as the soil can be worked in late winter or early spring. Peas do not perform well in warm temperatures above 80°F (27°C) and will decline as summer heat arrives.

Native Range

Pisum sativum is not native to the Pacific Northwest. The species is of Mediterranean and Central Asian origin, cultivated for thousands of years; the 'Sugar Snap' cultivar was introduced in 1979.

Suggested Uses

Grown on vertical supports — trellises, chain-link fences, netting — in vegetable gardens and edible landscapes. Harvest whole pods when fully rounded for fresh eating, stir-fries, and salads; or harvest mature seeds separately as shelled peas. Spring and fall plantings give two harvests per season in Pacific Northwest conditions.

How to Identify

Pisum sativum 'Sugar Snap' is identified by its twining, tendril-climbing habit; blue-green pinnately compound leaves; white papilionaceous flowers; and thick-walled, rounded pods 3 inches (7.5 cm) long harvested when fully plump and cylindrical in cross-section. Distinguished from snow peas by the thick-walled, round (not flat) pods; distinguished from shelling peas by the sweet, edible pod wall.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height5' - 6'

Width/Spread4" - 6"

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

blue green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring

White papilionaceous flowers 0.6–0.8 inch (1.5–2 cm) appear in April–June, 50–60 days after direct sowing. Pods follow 7–10 days after flowering. Harvest pods at 60–70 days from sowing, when fully rounded but before seeds bulge and the pod wall begins to toughen.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

blue-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil can be worked, typically February–April on the west side of the Cascades and March–May on the east side. Sow seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep, 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) apart. Provide a trellis, netting, or fence at least 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 m) tall at planting time. Keep soil consistently moist — inconsistent watering reduces pod set and quality. No fertilizer needed in average soils; excessive nitrogen promotes foliage at the expense of pods. Harvest pods daily when fully rounded to maintain productivity. Plants decline and should be removed when daytime temperatures consistently exceed 80°F (27°C).