How much sun does Pacific pea need?

Pacific pea grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Pacific pea bloom?

Pacific pea blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Pacific pea native?

Pacific pea (Lathyrus vestitus) is native to CA, OR, WA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Pacific pea attract?

Pacific pea draws bumble bees and native bees.

Pacific pea

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lathyrus vestitus

Last reviewed: September 2026

Pacific pea (Lathyrus vestitus) is a perennial vine native to CA, OR, WA. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw bumble bees and native bees.

Toxicity unknown

Pacific pea (Lathyrus vestitus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

24"–48" H × 24"–48" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

CA, OR, WA

Pollinators

bumble bees, native bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Mojave Basin and Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A sprawling perennial pea with clusters of pink-purple flowers held above compound leaves. It climbs low over neighboring shrubs using tendrils along woodland and chaparral edges.

Growing Pacific pea

Grow Pacific pea in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Its nectar-rich flowers are visited by bumble bees and other native bees able to work the pea-flower structure.

Common questions

How much sun does Pacific pea need?: Pacific pea grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Pacific pea bloom?: Pacific pea blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Pacific pea native?: Pacific pea (Lathyrus vestitus) is native to CA, OR, WA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Pacific pea attract?: Pacific pea draws bumble bees and native bees.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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