Do Edible Peas Have to Be Planted Separate From Ornamental Peas?

Edible Peas

• Edible peas grown in the garden fall into one of three categories: garden peas or English peas (Pisum sativum), snap peas and snow peas (also known as sugar peas). In the southern United States, garden peas also include the cowpea or Southern pea (Vigna Savi), a plant others classify as a bean. Black-eyed peas (Vigna unguiculata) may also be considered garden peas in the south, but in the northern U.S., they're a type of bean.

Cultivation

• Peas are cool-weather plants, and may be planted in the ground once soil temperatures reach 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Some heat-tolerant varieties of peas may be grown in late summer. Peas should be planted 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep in soil, in single rows spaced 18 to 24 inches apart. Some edible peas display vining growth, reaching up to 6 feet in height.

Rosary Peas

• Rosary pea, Abrus precatorius, is warmth-loving ornamental vining plant. The plant produces small, purple or pink flower clusters. The pods are flat in shape, 1 1/2 to 2 inches long. The seeds inside the pods are not edible peas, but bright red seeds. Over time, the pods curl back to reveal and release these seeds. Rosary pea self-seeds, and may be classified as an invasive. The roots reach very deep into the soil, and rosary pea plants are difficult to remove.

Sweet Peas

• Sweet peas, Lathryus odoratus, are not edible because they are toxic. A vining plant, sweet peas grow in full sunlight. The plants produce colorful flowers in spring, and make for attractive ornamental plants. Sweet peas may be planted in the ground at the same time as edible peas, 1 to 2 inches deep into the soil. The bright, eye-catching flowers that grow on sweet peas distinguish the plants from edible garden pea varieties. Sweet pea pods are toxic, but they will only hurt you if you eat them -- they will not harm edible pea plants if they planted nearby.