Peanut

Arachis hypogaea

Fabaceae (Legume)

Protein and fat from a legume that buries its own pods. Loves Texas heat and sandy soil, and fixes nitrogen.

EdibleAnnualFull sunHeat-loverFixes nitrogenSurvival cropStaple calories

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek

Sun

Full sun

Water

Moderate

Soil

Loose, sandy

pH

5.8–6.5

Hardiness

Warm-season annual

Height

12–18 in

Spacing

6–8 in

Days to harvest

120–150

What it is

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is in the Fabaceae (Legume) family. Protein and fat from a legume that buries its own pods. Loves Texas heat and sandy soil, and fixes nitrogen.

How to grow it

It wants full sun, water it moderate, and give it loose, sandy soil. Target a soil pH around 5.8–6.5. Space plants about 6–8 in apart. Expect roughly 120–150. Warm-season annual.

How it's used

Peanut is used: roasted, boiled, ground.

🔎 How to identify it

Four-leaflet leaves
Yellow pea flowers
Pegs push into soil to form pods

Edibility

PartsSeeds (cooked)

UsesRoasted, boiled, ground

CautionStore dry to prevent aflatoxin mold.

🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.

Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.