Meadow Vetchling Seeds (Lathyrus pratensis)

A cheerful, climbing wildflower with bright yellow, pea-like flowers that light up grasslands and meadow edges. A member of the legume family, it brings both beauty and biodiversity, enriching the soil and supporting a wide variety of pollinators.

Key Features:

• Long flowering period from late spring through to early autumn
• Natural nitrogen-fixer, improving long-term fertility
• Excellent nectar source for pollinators such as bees and butterflies
• Approx. 100 seeds per 1g

Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis) is a perennial wildflower with a light, scrambling habit and a natural flair for weaving through taller grasses or neighbouring plants. It forms slender, winged stems that climb and sprawl using delicate tendrils, bringing height and texture without becoming dominant.

From late May through to August, and sometimes beyond, it produces clusters of bright yellow, pea-like flowers that provide a lovely contrast to surrounding greenery. These blooms are small but numerous, and they have a subtle charm that becomes especially noticeable when viewed en masse in a summer meadow.

Its foliage is divided and light, offering good coverage without shading out nearby species. Like other legumes, Meadow Vetchling forms root nodules that fix nitrogen, helping to improve the soil for companion plants, making it a particularly valuable species in long-term grassland or meadow restoration.

This is a hardy, undemanding wildflower that thrives in full sun and moderately fertile soils. While it prefers well-drained conditions, it’s also tolerant of damper sites and can be found naturally in hay meadows, grassy banks, woodland margins and roadside verges. Once established, it will return each year with very little intervention, gradually increasing its presence through underground growth and light self-seeding.

Sow Meadow Vetchling in either autumn (August to October) or spring (March to May). Autumn sowing is often most effective, as the cooler, wetter conditions help with natural germination and root establishment before winter.

To sow, prepare a fine, clean seedbed by removing weeds and lightly raking the soil, as the seed is relatively large and hard-coated, a light covering of 0.5–1 cm of soil is recommended.

Once sown, firm the ground gently to ensure good contact between seed and soil, and keep the area just moist during the first few weeks.

Meadow Vetchling may be slow to flower in its first season, particularly from spring sowings. In its second year and beyond, it will flower reliably through summer. Its roots deepen over time, making it more drought-resistant and better able to compete in established meadows.

Once established, avoid cutting too early in the year to allow flowering and seed-setting, especially if you’d like it to naturalise.

For garden applications direct sow at 1g/m2. For overseeding existing meadow planting or for new sowings on larger areas sow at a maximum of 2g/m2.

This is an ideal plant for species-rich grasslands, wildflower meadows, road verges, margins, and field edges. The yellow flowers are a good nectar source for bees, butterflies and beetles, while the foliage offers cover for insects and birds. As a nitrogen-fixer, it plays a valuable supporting role in soil health and long-term biodiversity.

We offer a flat shipping rate of £5.99.

Garden lawn seed, wildflower seeds, and wildflower seed mixtures are typically dispatched within 1 to 3 working days.

Products from our agricultural, landscaping, and equine ranges may be shipped separately as they are mixed to order.

We aim to ensure customer satisfaction with all products supplied. If you experience any issues with your order, please contact us at info@kentseeds.co.uk within 5 working days of the dispatch date, quoting your order number and a detailed description of the issue.

Read our full Delivery & Returns policy here.

Q1: How tall does Meadow Vetchling grow?

A: It usually reaches 40–80 cm depending on what it can scramble through. It doesn’t stand upright on its own but uses nearby stems for support.

Q2: Will it come back every year?

A: Yes, it’s a strong perennial. It may take a season to establish, but once it does, it returns reliably and may slowly spread through root growth and self-seeding.

Q3: Is it suitable for gardens as well as meadows?

A: Absolutely, Meadow Vetchling looks lovely weaving through ornamental grasses, cottage-style borders, or wild edges. It brings a soft, natural feel and benefits a range of insects.

Q4: Does it need rich soil?

A: Not at all. It prefers moderately fertile or even poor soils and helps improve them over time by fixing nitrogen, making it a great choice for restoration projects and low-input sites.