microgreen
EdiblePea Shoots
Pisum sativum
Considered non-toxic to cats and dogs (source: ASPCA (food pea not listed; not the toxic ornamental sweet pea)).
Some direct sun — an east or west window, or a few hours of direct light.
Keep evenly moist — water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Forgiving and beginner-friendly.
Pea shoots are one of the fastest and most beginner-friendly things to grow, going from dried peas to harvest in a couple of weeks. They need only modest light and taste sweet and fresh.
About Pea Shoots
Pea shoots (Pisum sativum) are one of the fastest and most beginner-friendly things to grow, going from dried peas to harvest in a couple of weeks. The garden pea is an Old World crop with a long history across the Mediterranean and the Near East. For a renter they need next to nothing: a shallow 2-litre tray, modest light, and a handful of dried peas. The shoots taste sweet and fresh without a sunny window.
Soak dried peas overnight, then sow them thickly across a shallow tray of soil. Snip the shoots with scissors when they reach about 8 to 12 cm, cutting just above a leaf node so many of them regrow for a smaller second harvest. The first cut can come in 10 to 21 days. Keep the tray moist but not soggy, since excess water invites mould.
What it’s like to grow
Pea shoots are easy and quick, a low-risk way to try growing something from seed. The usual problems are mould or damping-off when the tray is sown too wet or too crowded, and pale, stretched shoots when light is very low. Give them a little airflow and just enough water and they're trouble-free. These are the edible food pea, not the toxic ornamental sweet pea, and they're non-toxic to cats and dogs, so the tray is safe around pets.
What to expect
First harvest in about 10–21 days. It’s forgiving, so it’s a good one to learn on. No sunny window? It also does fine under a clip-on grow light.
See what you’ll need to get started ↓♻ Regrow from scraps
After the first cut, many shoots regrow for a smaller second harvest before replanting.
Companions
Tips
- Soak dried peas overnight, then sow them thickly on a shallow tray of soil.
- Snip shoots with scissors when 8–12 cm tall, just above a leaf node, for regrowth.
- Keep them moist but not soggy to avoid mold.
Common problems
- Mold or damping-off if sown too wet or too crowded.
- Pale, stretched shoots in very low light.
Common questions
Is Pea Shoots toxic to cats and dogs?
Pea Shoots is non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it a safe pick if you have pets. Source: ASPCA (food pea not listed; not the toxic ornamental sweet pea).
How much light does Pea Shoots need?
Pea Shoots does best in medium, indirect light: near an east or west window, or a little back from a bright one. Direct midday sun can scorch it.
How often should I water Pea Shoots?
Water Pea Shoots when the top inch of soil feels dry, then let it drain. Aim for evenly moist, not soggy.
What temperature does Pea Shoots need?
Pea Shoots is happiest around 13–21 °C. It tolerates brief dips to about -3 °C, but cold drafts and sudden chills set it back.
How long does Pea Shoots take to grow?
Expect a first harvest about 10–21 days from sowing under good conditions. A tray of dried peas gives a generous flush of sweet shoots in two to three weeks.
Can I grow Pea Shoots without a sunny window?
Yes. Pea Shoots does well under an affordable clip-on grow light, so a bright window isn't essential.
How big does Pea Shoots get?
Tender tendril shoots sown densely as a tray and snipped young.
How do I propagate Pea Shoots?
Soak dried peas overnight, then sow them thickly on a shallow tray of soil.
What pests affect Pea Shoots?
Watch for aphids and fungus gnats. Check new growth and the undersides of leaves often, and treat early with a rinse or insecticidal soap before they spread.
Is Pea Shoots easy to grow?
Yes. Pea Shoots is forgiving and one of the better plants to learn on.
Gear for Pea Shoots
Gear suggestions to get you started — general picks, not paid placements.
Pet-toxicity from the ASPCA. Care details are general guidance, not professional or veterinary advice; only eat plants you can positively identify as the edible plant and part described. Photo: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0). Care info last updated 2026-06-02.