So, let me guess – your pea plants appear to be wilting and it’s freaking you out, right?
Yeah, I’ve been in this place before, and let me tell you: it’s truly heartbreaking. Seeing a plant that once had color, vigor, and pods suddenly start to lose its magic can definitely be an alarming sight.
However, there’s still hope of survival for your pea plant…..if you intervene at the right time and actually know how to help.
Here are 4 common causes behind wilting pea plants and simple applicable advice on how you can revive them:
4 – Dryness & Inadequate Moisture
To thrive, pea plants need water…a lot of water. It’s not something they can just get out of nowhere; you’ll have to water crops yourself.
If consistent moisture isn’t available, it won’t take long for the plants to make signs of dryness apparent and take on a very dead and fading look.
Solution: Make a proper watering routine that fits your schedule and is sustainable over the long term. Plants generally aren’t the biggest fans of inconsistency, especially when it comes to watering. One missed watering session probably won’t make a difference but a couple missed sessions would certainly lead to dryness and wilting.
3 – Lack Of Nutrient Supply
If your garden soil or the soil you’ve planted your pea plants in lacks essential nutrients responsible for health and vigor, wilting and other symptoms of stress will begin to become more and more apparent.
Nitrogen, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium all have different roles in the garden. Nitrogen, for example, promotes vigor and lush foliage growth while magnesium helps form chlorophyll, primarily supporting overall health and nutrient absorption.
Solution: Feed your wilting pea plants with a balanced fertilizer that has an even blend of all essential nutrients. You can also make homemade compost by putting food scraps and organic matter into a compost bin and incorporating it with garden soil once fully decomposed.
As nutrient levels improve and deficiencies are addressed, your pea plants will perk up and take on a fresher, crisp look.
2 – Pests & Insects
A lot of new gardeners believe pests and insects are only there when they’re seen. In reality, they might be attacking and destroying your pea plants without you even realizing it. Spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, and leaf miners are all to blame here.
When these destructive little creatures start breaking down your pea plant leaves and pods, wilting, discoloration and weakened growth will be common outcomes.
Solution: Chemical pesticides from your local gardening store are generally the best and most straightforward solution to pest problems. However, you can also use something natural like a homemade neem or peppermint oil spray to drive pests out of the garden quickly.
1 – Environmental Stress
Harsh winds, extreme temperatures, and other undesirable environmental conditions can take a serious toll on your pea plants. Although these plants thrive in cold, intense cold snaps and frost can definitely stress them out and cause drooping leaves.
Too much warmth also has adverse effects on pea plants. Direct hot sunlight can cause heat stress symptoms like wilting and scorch foliage badly.
Solution: Try to shield your pea plants from unmerciful environments and conditions by moving them indoors or making use of things like wind barriers or row covers in the garden to protect against undesirable temperatures.
As I have mentioned before, row cover were a complete game-changer for my garden. Not only do I use it in my veggies but also in my flowers!
I use this one from Amazon — the Agfabric Frost Blanket. You just drape it over the plants, and it keeps everything snug.
Final Words
Wilting pea plants not only detract from the visual appeal of your garden but can also attract disease and fungal growth.
To revive them, identifying the main cause behind the wilting is essential. It can be due to watering issues, nutrient deficiencies, or pest problems. Whatever the cause is, it needs to be addressed – ideally as quickly as possible!