How to grow Pea Shoots in Australia
Pea shoots are the tender tips and tendrils of young pea plants, grown thickly in a tray and snipped within a few weeks. They taste fresh and sweet, like peas, and can be grown indoors on a bright windowsill at any time of year in every part of Australia.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Pea Shoots in Australia
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | All year | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | All year | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | All year | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | All year | |
| Adelaide & SA | All year | |
| Perth & WA | All year | |
| Tasmania | All year | |
| Canberra & ACT | All year | |
| North Queensland | All year | |
| Darwin & Top End | All year |
Not to be confused with: Peas, the same plant grown to maturity for its pods, and Sweet pea, an ornamental flower whose seeds and shoots must not be eaten.
Where to plant
Grow pea shoots in a tray, shallow pot or a small patch of garden bed in bright light, such as a sunny indoor windowsill, a verandah or a spot outdoors in morning sun. Keep them out of harsh afternoon sun in hot weather. Good airflow helps prevent mould on crowded trays.
Because they are harvested so young, pea shoots grow year round in every region, including the tropics, as long as they are kept moist and out of extreme heat.
Choosing a variety
Any pea variety can be grown for shoots, and some varieties are sold specifically for pea shoots. Cheap whole dried peas from the grocery aisle also work. Use only untreated peas meant for eating or sprouting, not seed coated with fungicide, which is usually dyed a bright colour.
How to plant
- Soak the peas overnight in cool water to speed germination, then drain.
- Fill a tray or pot with moist potting or seed raising mix.
- Press the peas in about 2 to 2.5 cm deep, close together, about 2.5 cm apart, or scatter them thickly and cover with mix.
- Water gently and keep the mix evenly damp but never waterlogged.
- Keep the tray in bright light once shoots appear, turning it every few days so the shoots grow straight.
Watering and feeding
Keep the mix evenly moist. Water from the base or with a gentle spray, and let any excess drain away. Crowded trays kept too wet are prone to damping off and mould.
Pea shoots need no feeding during their short life; the seed and potting mix supply what they need.
Harvesting
Snip the shoots when they are about 10 to 15 cm tall, usually two to four weeks after sowing, cutting about 2.5 cm above the mix, above a low leaf. Many will regrow for a second, smaller cut.
Use them fresh. They keep for three to four days in a sealed container in the fridge. After one or two cuts, compost the spent tray and sow again.
Using it
Eat pea shoots raw in salads, sandwiches and wraps, or add them to stir fries, noodle soups and omelettes at the last minute, as they wilt in seconds.
Pests and diseases
With a crop this quick, the only common problems come from too much water and too little air.
Pea Shoots is rarely troubled by pests.
Diseases to watch for
- Damping off Shoots collapse at the base, or grey or white fuzzy mould grows over the tray. Sow less thickly, water less and improve airflow.
Common questions
Can I grow pea shoots from supermarket dried peas?
Yes. Whole dried peas from the grocery aisle work well and are cheap. Do not use split peas, which will not grow, or garden seed coated with fungicide.
How long do pea shoots take to grow?
Usually two to four weeks from sowing, when the shoots are about 10 to 15 cm tall.
Do pea shoots grow back after cutting?
Often, yes. Cut about 2.5 cm above the mix, above a low leaf, and many will regrow for a second, smaller harvest.
Can I grow pea shoots indoors?
Yes. A bright windowsill is ideal. Turn the tray every few days so they grow straight, and keep the mix evenly moist.
Why are my pea shoots going mouldy?
The tray is too wet, too crowded or has too little air movement. Sow a little less thickly, water from below and give them more airflow.
Are sweet pea shoots edible?
No. Sweet peas are ornamental flowers and are not eaten. Grow pea shoots only from edible garden or culinary peas.
Sources we checked: RHS: How to grow peas (sowing for pea shoots).