Chickpea Cicer arietinum
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is an annual vegetable in the Fabaceae family, native to Domesticated in south-east Turkey. It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 25–40 cm (10–16 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
Plan Chickpea in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Chickpea at a glance
| Type | Annual vegetable |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 25–40 cm (10–16 in) |
| Spacing | 15 cm (6 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | about 7–9 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 100 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: seeds (dry or green), young pods |
| Native to | Domesticated in south-east Turkey |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇳 India, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇪🇸 Spain |
Is Chickpea toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Raw dry seeds should be cooked.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Chickpea
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C
Questions about Chickpea
- How far apart should I plant Chickpea?
- About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 25–40 cm (10–16 in).
- Does Chickpea need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Chickpea need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Chickpea?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Chickpea flower?
- About 7–9 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks.
- Is Chickpea poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Raw dry seeds should be cooked.
- What grows well with Chickpea?
- "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- A cool-season crop in the Mediterranean (sown late winter) and a winter crop in India.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
- Garden pea Pisum sativum
- Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
- Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
- Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
- Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
- Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
- Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis