Plant Profile: Easy-to-Grow Peanuts
Ever wanted to grow your own peanuts for homemade roasted peanut butter? It’s much easier, and quicker, than you think
Susan Oong
27 August 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. I am a magazine writer and sub-editor with a penchant for beautiful gardens, vegie patches and abodes.
Houzz Australia Contributor. I am a magazine writer and sub-editor with a penchant... More
All you need to grow peanuts is a sunny spot in the garden or a large pot on a balcony, raw peanuts from the health food store, soil, water and a bit of patience. Having a peanut plant at home is also great fun for the kids, as the plants are pretty forgiving about overwatering and have a fascinating (and slightly weird) way of growing. Another bonus is the plant’s relatively short growing time compared to true tree nuts, which can be an eight-year wait for pecans and walnuts and more than two years for cashews. By comparison, peanuts take a mere five months from planting to roasting.
Plant at a Glance
Common name: Peanut
Botanical name: Arachis hypogaea
Origin: Northern Argentina
Plant type: Herbaceous annual
Size: Up to 50 centimetres high and 1 metre wide
When to plant: From September to January. In tropical areas, wait until the dry season from April on
Time till harvest: 140-155 days from planting
Suitable for pots: Yes
Photo by Flickr user Dag Terje Filip Endresen
Common name: Peanut
Botanical name: Arachis hypogaea
Origin: Northern Argentina
Plant type: Herbaceous annual
Size: Up to 50 centimetres high and 1 metre wide
When to plant: From September to January. In tropical areas, wait until the dry season from April on
Time till harvest: 140-155 days from planting
Suitable for pots: Yes
Photo by Flickr user Dag Terje Filip Endresen
Where to grow
This adaptable plant grows best in tropical or subtropical spots, but warm temperate areas with a long growing season are fine too. Peanuts will be happy in most soil types, but prefer a well-drained soil in a sunny and sheltered position with plenty of moisture.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Franz Xaver
This adaptable plant grows best in tropical or subtropical spots, but warm temperate areas with a long growing season are fine too. Peanuts will be happy in most soil types, but prefer a well-drained soil in a sunny and sheltered position with plenty of moisture.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Franz Xaver
How to plant
The easiest way to get your hands on peanut seed is to use fresh, raw, unprocessed peanuts (kernels), with the papery skin still intact. Buy these from the health food store. Find a sunny spot in the garden to plant your seed, then prepare the soil (or pot). Plant seeds by hand to a depth of 3-5 centimetres, about a finger-length apart. Cover, then water in well. Mulch around the planting site to prevent weeds, which will compete with the shallow-rooted peanuts for nutrients. They should germinate in a week or two.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user H Zell
The easiest way to get your hands on peanut seed is to use fresh, raw, unprocessed peanuts (kernels), with the papery skin still intact. Buy these from the health food store. Find a sunny spot in the garden to plant your seed, then prepare the soil (or pot). Plant seeds by hand to a depth of 3-5 centimetres, about a finger-length apart. Cover, then water in well. Mulch around the planting site to prevent weeds, which will compete with the shallow-rooted peanuts for nutrients. They should germinate in a week or two.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user H Zell
When to water
Plants need plenty of water throughout the entire growing season, so water regularly.
How to fertilise
Just before flowering, sprinkle dolerite or gypsum around the plant to help with calcium uptake to produce plumper kernels.
Photo by Flickr user Bob Peterson
Plants need plenty of water throughout the entire growing season, so water regularly.
How to fertilise
Just before flowering, sprinkle dolerite or gypsum around the plant to help with calcium uptake to produce plumper kernels.
Photo by Flickr user Bob Peterson
How to harvest
Peanut plants flower continuously over the growing season, so the underground pods will develop at different times. Look out for the first signs of the plant yellowing. That’s a good indicator that it’s time to harvest. Dig it up, roots and all, then leave the plant, roots up, to dry out in the sun for three or four days. Pick the pods once they are dry, then shell or roast them.
Photo from Wikimedia Commons user Pollinator
Peanut plants flower continuously over the growing season, so the underground pods will develop at different times. Look out for the first signs of the plant yellowing. That’s a good indicator that it’s time to harvest. Dig it up, roots and all, then leave the plant, roots up, to dry out in the sun for three or four days. Pick the pods once they are dry, then shell or roast them.
Photo from Wikimedia Commons user Pollinator
Interesting facts
Peanuts aren’t true nuts, they’re from the pea family (Fabaceae), which gives the plant its name ‘pea-nut’. Strangely, the pods form underground. After the small pea-like flower is fertilised, it turns into a peg that drives itself into the ground. The tip of the peg then turns horizontally and develops into a pod containing the peanut kernels.
Illustration by Wikimedia Commons user Franz Eugen Köhler
TELL US
Have you ever tried to grow peanuts before? Share your tips and experiences in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more stories about growing your own edibles
Peanuts aren’t true nuts, they’re from the pea family (Fabaceae), which gives the plant its name ‘pea-nut’. Strangely, the pods form underground. After the small pea-like flower is fertilised, it turns into a peg that drives itself into the ground. The tip of the peg then turns horizontally and develops into a pod containing the peanut kernels.
Illustration by Wikimedia Commons user Franz Eugen Köhler
TELL US
Have you ever tried to grow peanuts before? Share your tips and experiences in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more stories about growing your own edibles
Related Stories
Garden Design
How Do I... Create a Potted Herb Garden?
A container garden of herbs is a chef's dream come true – an expert shares some helpful hints for planting success
Full Story
Garden Design
How Do I... Remove the Ugly Brown Patch on My Lawn?
Don't let that bare, brown patch spoil the look of your luscious green lawn – here's how to get rid of it
Full Story
Gardens
Heritage to Modern: Which Garden Style Suits Your House?
Selecting the right garden style may come down to personal taste, but you should factor in your home's architecture too
Full Story
Garden Design
8 Design Moves to Give a Flat, Bland Garden More Depth or Height
Sunken patios, stacked garden beds, berms and other features are a great way to add interest to level outdoor spaces
Full Story
Outdoors
Top 10 Things to Do in the Garden in June
Plenty of planting can be done in the garden this month as autumn sets in, though watch out for snails and mould
Full Story
Outdoors
Top 10 Things to Do in the Garden in May
There’s still plenty to do in the garden as we head towards winter, here's a list of easy tasks for autumn
Full Story
Gardens
9 Ways to Be Water-Wise in Your Edible Garden
Wondering how to use less water in your fruit or vegetable garden? Read nine ways to conserve water and grow a lush crop
Full Story
Most Popular
8 Indoor Plants That Will Help Keep Your Home Cool
Don't go for good looks alone, choose plants that help cool the air inside your house this summer
Full Story
Edible Gardening
Thrifty Gardening: How to Grow and Store Summer Herbs
Read these easy money-saving tips for growing and storing herbs so you can enjoy your garden and its produce
Full Story
Most Popular
Top 10 Plants for Windy Gardens
Wind can cause just as much moisture loss as sun – if not more – so choose your plants wisely when planning exposed gardens
Full Story
Interesting article. Thank you.
they say you learn something new everyday and I just did..thank you
Seems like a fun thing to try!