How far apart should I plant Peanut?

About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).

Does Peanut need full sun?

Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Peanut need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.

How cold-hardy is Peanut?

It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.

When does Peanut flower?

About 4–6 weeks after planting, for 9–13 weeks.

Is Peanut 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. The plant is not toxic, but peanuts are a major allergen for sensitive people, and mouldy stored nuts can carry aflatoxin.

What grows well with Peanut?

"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.

Peanut Arachis hypogaea

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is an annual vegetable in the Fabaceae family, native to South America (Bolivia and northern Argentina). It grows 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.

Plan Peanut in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Peanut at a glance

Type	Annual vegetable
Family	Fabaceae
Mature height	30–50 cm (12–20 in)
Mature spread	40–60 cm (16–24 in)
Spacing	25 cm (10 in) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none
Soil pH	5.9–7
Cold hardiness	About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10)
Heat stress	Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F)
Flowering	about 4–6 weeks after planting, for 9–13 weeks
Days to maturity	About 130 days from planting
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	Low
Edible	Yes: seeds (peanuts, cooked or roasted)
Native to	South America (Bolivia and northern Argentina)
Common in gardens of	🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇳 China, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇵🇪 Peru

Is Peanut toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

The plant is not toxic, but peanuts are a major allergen for sensitive people, and mouldy stored nuts can carry aflatoxin.

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 Peanut

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

Shared pests and diseases

Root rots: Fusarium and Aphanomyces root rots build up where legumes repeat. Evidence C

Questions about Peanut

How far apart should I plant Peanut?: About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
Does Peanut need full sun?: Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Peanut need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
How cold-hardy is Peanut?: It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
When does Peanut flower?: About 4–6 weeks after planting, for 9–13 weeks.
Is Peanut 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. The plant is not toxic, but peanuts are a major allergen for sensitive people, and mouldy stored nuts can carry aflatoxin.
What grows well with Peanut?: "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 B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).

FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO

Notes and assumptions

Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
After pollination the flower stalk (peg) pushes into the soil, where the pods ripen; loose, sandy soil is needed.

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