Growing Hydroponic Peas: Pea Shoots and Pod Peas

The short answer

Hydroponic peas can be grown two ways, as quick pea shoots or as vines that make pods. Pea shoots are harvested young from dense trays, while pod peas need trellising, bright light and more time. SARE and Delaware Extension work on snap peas shows variety choice and light shape indoor and greenhouse yields.

Peas are a cool season crop that thrives in soilless systems. A hydroponic setup suits a fast tray of sweet greens or a vine full of snap peas.

Can peas grow in hydroponics?

Yes. Peas grow well in many hydroponic systems, including deep water culture, drip systems and ebb and flow trays.

The UC Master Gardeners of Orange County guide to hydroponics for home gardeners explains common system types and how roots get water, air and nutrients.

Peas like it cool, so aim for air temperatures of about 55 to 70 degrees. Above 80 degrees, flowering slows and pods may fail to set.

Our post on hydroponic environments covers temperature and humidity setups.

How do pea shoots and pod peas differ?

Sources: USDA SARE, University of Delaware Extension, UC Master Gardeners.

Pea shoots are the faster option and need little more than a tray, a growing pad and lightly fed water.

Pod peas take longer but yield more per plant.

How do you grow pea shoots?

Soak peas in water for 8 to 12 hours. Drain and spread them in a single dense layer on a growing pad or coco mat.

Leave them covered and moist for two to three days until roots grab hold, then uncover and give light.

Cut shoots when they reach four to six inches, just above the lowest leaf. Many varieties will regrow for a second cut.

Our post on hydroponic mediums compares mats, coco and rockwool.

How do you grow pod peas?

Start seeds in rockwool cubes or plugs and move them into net cups once roots show.

The University of Delaware Extension report on vining snow and snap pea varieties highlights tall vining types with high yields. For small indoor setups, dwarf or bush types are easier to manage.

Give pod peas a mild nutrient solution. Peas fix some of their own nitrogen, so they need less feeding than leafy greens.

Hold pH around 6.0 to 6.5. Our post on caring for a hydroponic system covers reservoir checks.

How do you support vines?

Vining peas climb by tendrils, so put a trellis net, string lines or a mesh panel above the system before plants need it.

Guide young tendrils onto the support and they’ll climb on their own.

Do peas need a lot of light?

Pea shoots grow fine under moderate light. Pod peas need much more to flower and fill pods.

The USDA SARE project report on LED lighting for greenhouse snap peas found added LED light improved winter snap pea yields in a greenhouse.

Indoors, plan for 14 to 16 hours of bright light daily for pod peas.

How to: step by step

1. Choose shoot or pod varieties.
2. Soak and sow peas for shoots, or start in plugs for pods.
3. Hold temperatures cool and mild.
4. Add a trellis for vining peas.
5. Give pod peas bright light.
6. Harvest shoots young or pods when full.

When do you harvest pods?

Pick snow peas while pods are still flat and seeds are tiny.

Pick snap peas when pods are round and plump but still crisp.

Pick shelling peas when pods are full and bright green.

Pick often so vines go on flowering.

Can peas grow in Kratky jars?

Dwarf pea varieties can grow in Kratky jars or tubs, though yields are small. Tall vines usually need a larger reservoir.

Troubleshooting

Shoots moldy at the base. Seeds sat too wet, so improve airflow and drain trays.

Vines flowering but no pods. Heat may be too high. Cool the room.

Pale leaves. Light may be low or the nutrient mix too weak.

Roots brown and slimy. Raise oxygen with an air stone and clean the reservoir.

Tendrils not climbing. Add support closer to the plants.

Fresh pea shoots or sweet pods can come from a small indoor setup. Kind Seed Co shares more garden ideas in outdoor growing.

Sources

• The effects of LED lighting on winter greenhouse grown sugar snap peas, USDA SARE project report, The effects of LED lighting on winter greenhouse grown sugar snap peas
• Standout vining snow and snap pea varieties, University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, Weekly Crop Update, Standout vining snow and snap pea varieties
• Hydroponics for the home gardener, UC Master Gardeners of Orange County, Hydroponics for the home gardener