It is delicate to cultivate, but if treated carefully, its successive produce of exquisite flowers makes it a rewarding and worthy plant to grow. It can be used in pots on a sunny patio or as a temporary flowering house plant in place of a short-lived bunch of flowers. If you pick the flowers as they first open they will last approximately thirty days in water.

The Sturt's Desert Pea generally grows in the hot, arid, sandy areas of Australia. Because of the unpredictability of water, this eye-catching annual takes advantage of rains by germinating, growing and seeding quickly. In its natural habitat it then dies, leaving behind hard-coated seeds which are slowly worn down and cracked by high temperatures or worn with sand abrasion in readiness for germination with the next rains.
This is a plant that is able to survive in such harsh conditions does not grow easily as a garden plant. The Desert Pea must have good drainage as it does not like wet roots. Unless its natural conditions can be replicated by creating built-up beds of sandy loam with full sun and sparse watering, it seems prone to fungal diseases and insect attack. If the soil is of a heavy mixture (clay type), build the up a mound of a sandy combination using rocks to retain the soil. Mulch up to the base of the plant with scoria, gravel or river pebbles. It is however, more readily adaptable as a potted plant or hanging basket where its specific requirements can be met. Give the Desert Pea liquid fertilizer weekly during the summer months if grown in a pot, basket or the ground.

The Sturt's Desert Pea is best grown during the hot summer months, but can be successful even up until April and May. The plant needs a good drainage and cut back to the new runners when the secondary runners begin to bud. The hotter months will produce longer lasting displays of up to 2 months, whereas in cooler months the displays will last 2-3 weeks. Plants must be kept in a sunny outdoor position in either a 250mm pot or hanging basket and then can be brought inside in the evenings for an exhibit if desired. Alternatively, they can be kept inside provided they are placed in a very warm sunny position. In the hot summer months, the Sturt's Desert Peas can be transplanted into large patio pots for really spectacular massed displays. Most important special care must be taken not to over-water as wetness contributes to the medium for fungal attack.

PLEASE NOTE; Seed and plants are not always available, so contact your garden supplier before you visit them.