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Belonging to the legume family, the cultivated pea plant (Pisum sativum) is a cool-season crop with an annual lifecycle. The term “peas” often refers to the seeds found in the pods. Botanically speaking, peas are fruits, but they are used as vegetables in culinary applications.
Pea pods in grocery stores typically come in green color. Growing peas at home introduces you to cultivars with other colors, like purple and yellow. Plant peas beside your carrot, radish, squash, turnip and other root crops as peas fix nitrogen in soil and aid in root crop production.
Common Pea Types
From casseroles and pot pies to stews, peas can be served in many ways. Have them as a snack or throw them in a fresh salad. Pease porridge and pea soup are primarily made with varieties of dry split peas. The light flavor of peas also works well in stir-fry recipes.
The three common pea types offer unique varieties, one of which may fit your needs and garden resources.
Heirloom and Hybrid Peas
Before we go deep into varieties, let’s first differentiate the heirloom from hybrid.
Essentially, heirloom varieties are not crossbred for at least 40 to 50 years. Seeds from heirloom plants are suitable for seed saving as you get the same traits from the parent plant. They remain true to seed, being passed down from generations of ethnic, familial, or a social group in a given region. Some popular heirloom peas include Early Frost, Green Arrow, Little Marvel, and Super Sugar Snap.
On the other hand, hybrid peas are a result of intentional crossbreeding between varieties. Agriculturists carefully select certain pea cultivars for their beneficial traits, which can be imbued in a hybrid. Enhancement for disease, cold, heat, and pest resistance are possible through crossbreeding. Additionally, hybrid pea varieties boast enhanced flavor, texture, and yield, which can be favorable for farmers or gardeners aiming to mass-produce peas.
Other Popular Pea Groupings
Fresh peas can be the next great produce from your vegetable garden. Learn more about its varieties, classified by their unique traits.
Types of Pea Pod Colors
Pea pods are not exclusively green in color. Some rarer varieties come in purple or yellow.
| Pea Pod Colors | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Green Pea Pods | Green Arrow (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Little Marvel (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Sugar Ann (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Sugar Daddy (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Sugar Snap (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Wando (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Purple Pea Pods | Blue Shelling (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) King Tut Purple (Rare Seeds) Sugar Magnolia (Territorial Seed Company, Rare Seeds) |
| Yellow Pea Pods | Golden Sweet Snow (Rare Seeds) |
Types of Pea Flavors
Most pea varieties have innate sweetness. Other flavors come up as hints or notes, adding complexity to its overall taste.
| Pea Flavors | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Earthy/Nutty Peas | Blue Shelling (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Green Arrow (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Lincoln (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Little Marvel (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Mammoth Melting Sugar Pod (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Tom Thumb (Eden Brothers, Rare Seeds) |
| Sweet Peas | Dwarf Grey Sugar (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Oregon Sugar Pod II (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Sugar Ann (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Sugar Daddy (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Sugar Sprint (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Super Sugar Snap (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) |
Types of Pea Textures
Generally, peas can provide crunch to your meals. However, some varieties have dense pod walls, making them inedible.
| Pea Textures | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Crisp/Crunchy Peas | Cascadia (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Green Arrow (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Little Marvel (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Little Snappea Crunch (Territorial Seed Company) Nairobi (Territorial Seed Company) Sugar Daddy (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) |
| Tender Peas | Avalanche (Territorial Seed Company) Lincoln (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Little Snowpea White (Territorial Seed Company) Maestro (Territorial Seed Company) Mammoth Melting Sugar Pod (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Perfection Dark Seeded (True Leaf Market) |
Types of Geographic Origins
The geographic origin of peas is highly debated, but some researchers suggest that Central Asia, Ethiopia, Near East, and the Mediterranean are possible points of origin.
| Geographic Origins | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| European and Mediterranean Green Peas | Carouby de Maussane Snow (Rare Seeds) Frieda Worlds (Territorial Seed Company) Green Arrow (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Little Marvel (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Progress No. 9 (True Leaf Market) Thomas Laxton (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| North American Green Peas | Early Frosty (True Leaf Market) Green Beauty (Territorial Seed Company, Rare Seeds) Maestro (Territorial Seed Company) Oregon Sugar Pod II (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Sugar Ann (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Sugar Daddy (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) |
| Asian Green Peas | Taichung 13 (True Leaf Market) Taiwan Sugar (True Leaf Market) |
Types of Culinary Uses
Like other members of the legume family, peas are one of the most versatile foods you can plant at home. There are ways to preserve them for future use.
| Culinary Uses | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Peas for Canning/Freezing | Blue Shelling (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Early Frosty (True Leaf Market) Green Arrow (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Pea-ples Choice (Territorial Seed Company) Perfection Dark Seeded (True Leaf Market) Pls 560 (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Peas for Raw Applications | Little Snappea Crunch (Territorial Seed Company) Little Snowpea White (Territorial Seed Company) Sugar Daddy (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Sugar Magnolia (Territorial Seed Company, Rare Seeds) Sweet Horizon (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Peas for Sauté/Stir-fry | Cascadia (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Dwarf Grey Sugar (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Little Marvel (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Oregon Giant (True Leaf Market) Pea-ples Choice (Territorial Seed Company) Taiwan Sugar (True Leaf Market) |
Types of Disease Resistance
Some pea varieties are more susceptible to disease than others.
| Disease Resistance | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Disease-Resistant Varieties | Nairobi (Territorial Seed Company) Pls 560 (Territorial Seed Company) Sienna (Territorial Seed Company) Sugar Daddy (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Sugar Sprint (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Super Sugar Snap (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) |
| Varieties Susceptible to Mildew and Mold | Parsley (True Leaf Market) Thomas Laxton (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
Types of Preferred Growing Conditions
Pea varieties with longer vines will grow well in spacious gardens, while bush- and dwarf-types are suitable for container planting.
| Preferred Growing Conditions | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Container Peas | Alaska or Alaska Early (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Little Snappea Crunch (Territorial Seed Company) Little Snowpea Purple (Territorial Seed Company) Little Snowpea White (Territorial Seed Company) Oregon Sugar Pod II (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Tom Thumb (Eden Brothers, Rare Seeds) |
| Field Peas | Frieda Worlds (Territorial Seed Company) Mammoth Melting Sugar Pod (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Sweet Horizon (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Greenhouse Peas | Cascadia (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Sugar Ann (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Sugar Daddy (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Sugar Snap (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Sugar Sprint (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Super Sugar Snap (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) |
Popular Varieties of Chinese Pea Pods or Snow Peas
You might have tried the pods of snow peas in Chinese dishes. Commonly used in Asian recipes, the Chinese type tends to have flat pods with small peas inside. Compared to other peas, varieties of this type have longer maturity periods.
| Variety | Description | Plant Height | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwarf Grey Sugar | Thrives in cool and wet environments, Dwarf Grey Sugar grows flat green pods in an easy-to-manage plant structure. You can also harvest the white flowers from the plant and use them for cooking. If you’re looking for a container pea variety, Dwarf Grey is a reasonable option. | 36 inches | 65 to 70 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Frieda Worlds | Frieda Worlds is a European snow pea variety that suits for autumn planting. | 72 inches | 75 to 80 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Little Snowpea White | Little Snowpea White is a cold hardy variety that produces crunchy green pods early. Its small size can easily fit in outdoor containers. The resulting pods can be steamed or stir-fried with seasonings. | 40 inches | 30 to 35 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Mammoth Melting Sugar Pod | One of the tallest snow pea varieties, Mammoth Melting Sugar Pod yields 5-inch green pods. Keep in mind – due to its size, a trellis or any other support is needed to grow this variety. The moderately sweet taste of its pods works well in savory stir-fry recipes. | 48 to 72 inches | 68 to 75 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds |
| Oregon Giant | From the innovation of Dr. James Baggett came the Oregon Giant variety. It was developed to be resistant to Fusarium wilt, pea enation mosaic virus, and powdery mildew. The resulting pea pods are sweet and large. | 30 inches | 67 to 75 days | True Leaf Market |
| Oregon Sugar Pod II | Oregon Sugar Pod II is impervious to downy mildew, Fusarium wilt, pea enation mosaic virus and powdery mildew. Introduced by the Oregon State University in 1985, this variety is a heavy yielder with two broad flavors per node. | 30 inches | 70 to 75 days | Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market |
| Sweet Horizon | Sweet Horizon is known for its distinctly flat pods that grow in double sets. These are a delicious addition to stir-fry or served as a side after steaming. This variety is resistant to Ascochyta disease, Fusarium wilt, and powdery mildew. | 50 to 60 inches | 60 to 70 days | Territorial Seed Company |
Popular Varieties of English or Shelling Peas
What sets English or shelling peas apart from other types is their tough (often fibrous) inedible pods. To enjoy the bright green peas inside, the pods should be allowed to mature on the vine. After harvesting, you can separate the peas from the pod and use them for different culinary applications.
| Variety | Description | Plant Height | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska or Alaska Early | Enjoyed as an extra-early variety, Alaska was originally bred by Thomas Laxton of Bedford, England. You can harvest at least 5 to 8 small peas from every pod and use them for canning or freezing. This heirloom variety is a favorite among gardeners due to its reliable yield and resistance to cooler climates. | 26 to 36 inches | 50 to 57 days | Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market |
| Early Frosty | This cold-hardy heirloom pea yields 4-inch emerald green pea pods. Under proper storage conditions, sweetness in the peas remains intact for at least one week after harvest. Early Frosty is an Idaho native, first bred in 1966 by the Rogers Seed Company. | 30 inches | 60 to 64 days | True Leaf Market |
| Green Arrow | Home gardeners will love Green Arrow’s high-yielding ability and resistance to downy mildew and Fusarium wilt. At best, the pods can reach up to 4 inches long with 9 to 11 green peas. | 24 to 30 inches | 68 to 70 days | Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market |
| Lincoln | Resistant to Fusarium wilt, Lincoln is a cold- and heat- tolerant pea variety, producing a 3 to 4 inches pod with green tender peas. It can thrive in Utah’s climate and can be supported with a stake or trellis. This variety is also called Homesteader peas, which you can start planting by early spring. | 28 to 32 inches | 67 to 70 days | Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market |
| Little Marvel | Good for fresh consumption, canning, and freezing, Little Marvel has delicate 3-inch pods with 5 to 6 small peas. It was first introduced by Sutton and Sons from England. | 18 to 20 inches | 60 to 65 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds |
| Thomas Laxton | The Thomas Laxton variety can repel powdery mildew and has boasted a bountiful yield since 1898. Its original breeders, William and Edward Laxton, named this pea heirloom after their father Thomas Laxton, a prominent horticulturist and plant breeder. | 36 inches | 60 to 70 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
Popular Varieties of Snap Peas or Sugar Snap Peas
Snap peas have the best traits of both shelling and snow types through crossbreeding. When fully mature, the pods can be picked and eaten right away. With a snap of your finger, you got yourself a healthy delectable treat. Growing them in the garden provides an immediate source of crisp sweetness that both adults and kids will love.
| Variety | Description | Plant Height | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascadia | Yielding stringless juicy pea pods, the Cascadia variety does not necessarily need any support or structure due to its compact bushing growth. It was first developed by Dr. James Baggett of Oregon State University and bagged an RHS Garden Merit. | 32 inches | 60 to 65 days | Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market |
| Super Sugar Snap | Stringless and intensely sweet, Super Sugar Snap is an improved alternative to the traditional Sugar Snap. It produces heftier and thicker pods. The plant has intermediate resistance to pea leaf roll virus and powdery mildew. Super Sugar Snap can be enjoyed fresh off the vine, served alongside leafy veggies on a platter, or stir-fried in butter and other ingredients. | 60 inches | 58 to 64 days | Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market |
| Sugar Ann | Selected by the All-America Selections, Sugar Ann is a wonderful dwarf-type snap pea variety suitable for container planting or gardens with a small space. Due to its small size, no structural support is needed. It is an extra early yielder of plum pea pods packed with sweet flavor. | 10 to 24 inches | 55 to 60 days | Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market |
| Sugar Daddy | If you love stringless peas, consider the Sugar Daddy variety. The short vines make an easy and quick harvest. Additionally, it has resistance to Fusarium wilt, pea leaf rolls virus and powdery mildew. It is suitable for all hardiness zones. After picking the pea pods, you can use them in salads or toss them in a stir-fry. | 24 to 30 inches | 65 to 75 days | Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds |
| Sugar Lace II | Sugar Lace II can thrive efficiently during fall or spring. The pods have a dark green color, smooth exterior, and sweet taste. Staking is not necessary when growing this variety in the garden. Worry less about a possible pea enation mosaic virus infection as this variety is resistant to it. | 24 to 30 inches | 68 to 75 days | True Leaf Market |
| Sugar Snap | Sugar Snap is an All-America Selections gold winner, awarded for its sweet taste and juicy texture. This variety yields stringless edible pods that provide a noticeable crunch in recipes. Over-mature Sugar Snap peas can be shelled for green peas or consumed in their entirety. | 48 to 60 inches | 66 to 70 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Sugar Sprint | With intermediate resistance to pea enation mosaic virus and powdery mildew, Sugar Sprint is a bountiful race in producing 3-inch snap peas brimming with a crisp and sweet taste. | 24 to 30 inches | 55 to 60 days | Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market |
FAQ About Types of Peas
Which pea type is best suitable for freezing?
Shelling peas, often referred to as garden peas, have inedible pods containing hefty peas ideal for freezing. According to the National Center for Home Food Preservation, it’s best to harvest the pods before the peas become starchy.
Is trellising needed when growing different types of peas?
Not all pea varieties require a trellis or other structural support during their growth. Some cultivars such as Cascadia and Sugar Ann, have compact plant structures enough to support themselves.
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