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Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) seeds

Almost forgotten, yet full of potential – the grass pea as a hidden gem for dry sites.
Contents: Approx. 20 seeds.
Open-pollinated variety, seed tested regularly

14,16 l

incl. VAT , plus

From	Unit price / Packet
10	12,74 l*
100	10,61 l*

SKU: LAT12

GTIN: 4251420521743

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Traditional Heritage Crop with Remarkable Resilience

The grass pea (Lathyrus sativus), also known as chickling vetch or Spanish vetchling, is an ancient cultivated plant that has been grown for thousands of years across Southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. Its use dates back to antiquity – particularly in regions with poor soils and frequent droughts, it was valued as a reliable source of protein. This climbing, pea-like plant with butterfly-shaped flowers produces flat, angular pods containing pea-sized seeds, which can be used in a variety of ways: boiled, roasted, or ground into flour. It remains an important staple in traditional Indian and Ethiopian cuisine to this day.

Grass peas are extremely hardy, drought-tolerant, and require minimal care. As legumes, they improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and are also well-suited for green manuring or intercropping with cereals. Today, Lathyrus sativus is once again gaining recognition in permaculture and self-sufficient gardening – valued especially for its resilience and nutritional density.

Plant description

Species:	Fabaceae
Plant type:	Wildflower Climber Ground cover
Flower colour:	Blue White
Region of origin:	Asia Mediterranean Region
Use:	Ornamental plant Vegetable Green manure Edible plant
Characteristics:	Drought tolerant Needs darkness to germinate
Climate:	Temperate Dry
Lifecycle:	Annual
Flowering months:	June July August September
Eventual height:	80-120 cm

Growing advice

Soil type:	Fresh Nutrient-rich Chalky
Sowing depth:	2-3 cm
Planting distance:	10 cm
Row spacing:	20 cm
Sunlight:	Full sun
Water requirement:	Low
Germination time:	1-2 weeks
Germination temperature:	10-18°C
When to sow outdoors:	March April May June

Sowing and Care of Grass Pea

Sowing takes place directly outdoors from March onwards. The seeds should be sown around 3 to 5 cm deep in rows spaced approximately 30 cm apart. A fully sunny, relatively dry site with well-drained soil is ideal. Germination occurs after 10 to 20 days; pre-cultivation is not necessary. The plants grow quickly and usually begin to flower from June, depending on weather conditions. A support structure can be helpful in the case of vigorous growth, though it is not essential. Grass peas require very little water and no additional fertiliser. Harvesting begins once the pods have dried and the seeds rattle inside when shaken – typically in July or August. For seed saving, allow the pods to fully ripen and dry on the plant.

Other names

Botanical name:	Lathyrus sativus
French names:	Gesse commune, Pois carré, Gesse des champs,
English names:	Grass pea, Blue sweet pea, Chickling pea, Indian pea, White vetch,
Spanish names:	Almorta, Guija, Tito, Lenteja de campo, Ervilleta,
Italian names:	Cicerchia, Pisello d’erba, Lenticchia bastarda, Cece erboso,

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Manufacturer information: Magic Garden Seeds GmbH | Junkersstraße 7 | Regensburg, Germany, 93055 | service@magicgardenseeds.com | https://www.magicgardenseeds.com

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) seeds

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