Pea shoots
Pisum sativum
Also known asPea tendrils · Pea greens · Dou miao · Wandou miao
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 3–9 (winter low around -40°C)
- Frost
- frost hardy
- Season
- cool (spring/fall)
Growing systems
Root mass: light.
Growing media
| Medium | pH effect | Retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockwool (Mineral wool) | alkaline until pre-soaked | very high | low |
| Expanded clay pebbles (LECA) | neutral / inert | low | high |
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
| Net pot, no medium (Bare-root) | - | - | - |
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies | high | high |
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.6 |
| vegetative | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1.2 |
Aquaponics suitability
Compatible
Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth. Supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.
Care notes
One of the fastest and most rewarding hydroponic crops. For microgreens: soak seeds overnight, spread densely on a growing pad (hemp, coir), keep moist in darkness for 2-3 days, then expose to light. Harvest at 7-14 days when tendrils emerge. For full-sized shoots: EC 1.0-2.0 mS/cm, pH 6.0-7.0, temperature 12–22°C (cool-season; heat above 25°C makes shoots tough and bitter). Moderate light (DLI 12-18 mol/m2/day). NFT, DWC, or Kratky systems. From seed to shoot harvest: 3-4 weeks. Cut the top 10–15 cm of each vine; the plant regrows and produces a second (sometimes third) harvest, though each successive cutting is thinner. Succession plant every 2 weeks for continuous supply. The sweet, fresh pea flavor is most intense in cool-grown shoots. Pea shoots are one of the highest-value microgreens/greens per square meter: fast turnover, high demand, premium pricing ($15-30/kg retail), and minimal pest or disease issues. A top-tier hydroponic specialty crop.
Notable varieties
| Cultivar | Type | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dwarf Grey Sugar | heirloom | 20 | Pre-1892 heirloom, the classic pea-shoot variety. Purple-blushed stems and tendrils, mild sweet flavor. Vines stay short which is fine since you're not letting them climb. Holds tenderness longer than modern peas after cutting. |
| Speckled (Capucijner) | heirloom | 18 | Dutch heirloom with mottled brown-purple seeds and bold purple stems on the shoots. Stronger pea flavor and visual punch in salad mixes. Distinct from the green-seed types, worth growing alongside them for color. |
| Oregon Sugar Pod II | open pollinated | 20 | Modern Oregon State University release. Heavy tendril production from each shoot, the trait you want for stir-fries where tendrils are the prize. Resistant to pea enation mosaic, useful if the bed has had peas in it recently. |