Pigeon Peas

Growing Pigeon Peas: A Low-Maintenance, High-Yield Crop

If you’re looking for a reliable, low-maintenance plant that thrives in heat, improves soil, and produces an abundance of food, let me introduce you to Pigeon Pea (also known as Guandules). This perennial legume is a staple crop in many parts of the world, known for its ability to tolerate poor soil, drought, and high temperatures. Plus, it starts producing within the first year and continues for several seasons in warm climates.

Why Grow Pigeon Peas?

Resilient & Hardy: Tolerates heat, drought, and poor soil.
Perennial in Warm Climates: Continues producing for several years in Zones 9 and up.
Soil-Improving: Fixes nitrogen and helps enrich the soil.
Multi-Use Plant: The pods can be shelled for peas or dried for storage. The plant can also be used for animal feed, erosion control, and chop-and-drop mulch.
Great for Beginners: Thrives even in sub-optimal conditions with minimal care, and can help to improve poor soil over time.

Food Forest Layer

Herbaceous Layer/Herbs/Lower Plants/Level 4
A great filler or starter plant due to its fast growth and spreading habit.
A low-commitment option since it only lives for a few years.

Propagation & Planting

Seeds: Grows easily from seed.
Soaking: Optional and can speed up germination.
Planting Depth: 1/2 inch to 1 inch deep.
Spacing: Leave room for growth, as plants can get large, or plant in pots if you are unsure of where you want the plant
Germination Time: 2-3 weeks with consistent moisture (not too wet).

Growth & Maintenance

Growth Rate: Slow at first, then rapid growth around month 2 or 3.
Pruning: Can be pruned after harvest to manage size and provide mulch.
Size: Grows 5-10 ft tall and 3-4 ft wide.
Root System: Deep taproot makes it excellent for erosion control and drought resistance. Best to plant around shallow-root plants, so they don't compete with water and nutrients.

Seasonal Care & Climate Needs

Fall: This plant should be blooming soon, so a little extra fertilizer is not a bad idea.
Winter: Protect from harsh freezes.
Summer: Thrives in heat and humidity.
Zones: Best for Zones 9+, can be grown as an annual in cooler regions, or moved indoors to protect it.
Sunlight: Light shade to full sun.
Soil: Adaptable to most soil types and may tolerate some salinity.
pH Range: 5.0-7.0.
Watering: Regular watering is ideal, but avoid waterlogging. Can handle drought, but may affect pod production.
Fertilization: Thrives in low-fertility soils, especially those low in phosphorus.

Pests & Diseases

Generally, a sturdy plant once established.
Watch for cutworms and seed pod worms—use BT spray if needed.
Can be susceptible to fungal diseases; treat as necessary.

Container Growing?

Yes! While Pigeon Peas grow best in the ground, they can be grown in large pots. However, the restricted space will likely stunt their growth.

Flowering & Harvesting

Self-Fertile: Yes.
Flowering: Triggered by shorter daylight hours (fall, winter, and spring).
Harvesting:
- Fresh Peas: Pick pods at 4-5 weeks when they are full but still soft and shiny.
- Dried Beans: Wait 8-10 weeks until pods turn dry, rigid, and papery.

How to Eat Pigeon Peas

Fresh: Use like snap beans or shell the peas and cook as you would fresh green peas.
Steamed: Can be eaten like edamame.
Dried: Soak for several hours or overnight before cooking until soft.

Nutrition Facts

Other Fun Facts

Nitrogen-Fixing: Improves soil health naturally.
Origin: Likely from India, now cultivated worldwide.
Varieties: Different colors and types exist, including some bred for early maturity or cold tolerance.

Personal Experience Growing Pigeon Peas

My Takeaways:
I started my pigeon peas from seed in October 2023, growing them in pots and gradually sizing up every few months. While they stayed relatively small in containers, they’ve remained healthy and productive. One of my plants bloomed in December and set pods soon after, allowing me to start harvesting in February. My second plant took a little longer to bloom, finally flowering in March, and I expect to continue harvesting from it through the end of April.

Overall, these plants have been incredibly resilient and low-maintenance. I moved them all around my yard, experimenting with different conditions. At one point, they spent time in a very dry area with no additional watering except for rainfall. Although some branches dried out while I was away on vacation, the plant bounced back, regrowing the lost branches and producing peas a few months later. When I repotted one of my plants, I accidentally damaged the taproot, as it had grown through the bottom of the pot. Despite my concerns, the plant barely seemed to struggle and continued growing as if nothing had happened. This experience reinforced just how tough and adaptable pigeon peas can be, making them a fantastic addition to any low-maintenance or experimental garden.

Want to Learn More?

Check out these resources for more in-depth guides on growing Pigeon Peas: