Peanut Plant

These Peanut Plants (Arachis hypogaea) are a member of the pea and bean family (Fabaceae) and so the edible fruit they produce are not technically nuts. They produce pea-like yellow flowers from mid to late summer and, after pollination, the flower stem elongates and dips into the ground where the peanuts develop.

Peanut plants are best grown in a greenhouse, however in warmer areas of the UK you can keep your plant outside in the summer. For the best harvest, repot your plant on arrival into a much larger container (at least 5L) to allow for its shoots to spread out and the peanuts to develop under the soil or choose a sunny border. Peanut plants need plenty of light and warmth to produce their fruit and so a greenhouse, polytunnel, raised bed or sunny border is ideal. Choose somewhere in full sun that is sheltered from the wind. Peanut plants are tolerant of low temperatures but won’t survive frosts and so are treated as an annual in the UK.

Your peanut plant will need regular watering, aim to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Try to avoid overwatering your plant as this can cause its roots and pods to rot.

Harvest your peanut plant when its leaves turn yellow and die in the autumn. Carefully lift the plant out of the soil once it has fully wilted, shake off any excess soil and lay your plant on a flat surface to dry for a couple of weeks. After this you can remove the pods from the plant, store them somewhere dry for another couple of weeks to cure, and then the peanuts will be ready to eat.

Problem Solving:

Aphids and white fly are attracted to the young new shoots and if you spot any treat quickly with a soft soap spray.