Ice Cream Bean
Lathyrus odoratus
Large 2" blossoms in bright, clear colors of red, purple, mauve, pink, blue, and white. Blooms over a long period with exceptional fragrance. Can be spelled either as sweet pea or sweetpea. Attracts hummingbirds.
Harvest
90d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
3-8 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Ice Cream Bean in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tropical →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Ice Cream Bean · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | June – July | October – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 6 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 7 | — | — | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 8 | — | — | April – May | August – September |
| Zone 9 | — | — | March – April | July – August |
| Zone 10 | — | — | February – April | June – August |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Type: Legume.
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: Sweet pea fruits are inedible and poisonous to humans.
History & Origin
Origin: Southern Italy, Sicily, Crete
Advantages
- +Attracts: Butterflies
- +Edible: Sweet pea fruits are inedible and poisonous to humans.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Seeds): Low severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Banana
Provides wind protection and creates beneficial microclimate, similar water and nutrient needs
Coffee
Thrives in the filtered shade provided by ice cream bean, nitrogen fixation benefits coffee
Cacao
Benefits from nitrogen fixation and partial shade canopy provided by ice cream bean
Citrus
Benefits from nitrogen enrichment in soil from ice cream bean's root nodules
Sweet Potato
Ground cover that prevents soil erosion while benefiting from nitrogen fixation
Ginger
Thrives in partial shade and humid conditions created under ice cream bean canopy
Turmeric
Enjoys filtered sunlight and enriched soil from nitrogen-fixing companion
Lemongrass
Natural pest deterrent that thrives in similar tropical conditions
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to legumes and inhibits nitrogen fixation
Eucalyptus
Allelopathic compounds suppress growth of nearby plants including legumes
Pine
Acidifies soil significantly, competing root system, allelopathic needle drop
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168396)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant, very hardy
Common Pests
Few pest problems, occasional scale insects
Diseases
Root rot in poorly drained soils