Peanut
Arachis hypogaea · Fabaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant peanut: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Form
- Annual herbaceous plant
- Adult size
- 30 to 50 cm in height
- Flowering
- Summer (discreet yellow flowers)
- Growth
- Fast, 3 to 4 months before harvest
- Hardiness
- Warm climate plant (frost-tender)
- Origin
- South America (Amazon Basin)
- Soil type
- Well-draining, light, slightly acidic
Care
Sunlight
Peanuts require maximum sunlight: place them in full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours per day. The more intense and prolonged the exposure, the better your yield will be. Avoid shade or partial shade at all costs.
Watering
Water regularly and moderately, keeping the soil moist but never waterlogged. During dry periods, watering every 2 to 3 days is necessary. Gradually reduce watering 2 to 3 weeks before harvest to promote ripening.
Soil
Prepare well-draining, light and fertile soil, enriched with organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0) is ideal. Avoid compact or clayey soils that hinder the pods from sinking into the ground.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced fertilizer or one rich in potassium and phosphorus, without excess nitrogen which could promote vegetation at the expense of pod development. An application at sowing and a second at flowering are generally sufficient.
Pruning and maintenance
No pruning is necessary. Simply keep the base of the plant clear to facilitate access of flowers to the soil. After flowering, the flowering stem naturally sinks into the ground to form the pod.
Diseases and pests
Watch for aphids, spider mites and thrips. Pod rot can occur with excessive moisture. Ensure good ventilation and maintain proper spacing. In humid climates, promote optimal drainage.
Did you know?
The peanut has a unique reproduction cycle: after pollination, the flower wilts and its peduncle sinks into the soil so the pod develops underground, hence its scientific name 'hypogaea' (underground). This plant transformed global food after its domestication in South America and its introduction to Africa and Asia by Portuguese traders in the 16th century.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.