Pea, Pigeon

If you’re looking for a plant with multiple benefits, great for companion planting, or need a windbreak in your garden, pigeon pea is the perfect variety for you.

Pigeon pea is a short-lived perennial bean that grows into a small shrubby tree, perfect for hedges or windbreaks. The fruit pods contain 4-5 seeds each, that range in colors from light brown, cream, grey, purple, or black. The seeds provide a great source of protein and amino acids, and their yellow and red flowers attract beneficial insects like bees and wasps. Plants are commonly used as a chop-and-drop to add nutrients to the soil. The roots release nitrogen that can be used by other plants and their deep tap root helps to improve soil structure.

Chop-and-drop crop: You chop or cut the plant material, then drop it on the ground to be used as mulch.

Days to Maturity: 90-120 days

Plant size: 6-12 ft tall

Plant spacing: 12” apart

Sun, soil, and water requirement: Pigeon pea loves full sun and will grow in most soil types with very little water. Nutrient-dense soils with plenty of water will encourage your plant to grow faster, bigger, and live longer.

Pruning: You can prune your plant to add mulch to your garden beds while still allowing the plant to grow and produce pods. Pruning your plants every few months will encourage sturdy regrowth.

Harvesting: Plants can start flowering in just a few months and seeds can be harvested a few months following. Pick green pods if you want to eat the seeds fresh or leave them on the plant to dry for cooking or grinding. You can easily harvest a cluster of pods at once for a meal.

Culinary: You can use the green peas like fresh peas, cook the dried peas as you would beans or lentils, and add them to rice dishes. You can allow the peas to sprout to add nutrients to your dish or grind them into flour.

Nutrients: Pigeon peas are very nutritious. One cup of peas provides 11 grams of protein along with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.  

Special considerations: Established plants will self-seed and soon you’ll have more pigeon pea plants sprouting. You can easily chop the plants you don’t need and allow others to grow to maturity.

Companion planting: Their open canopy can provide shelter to younger, smaller plants while still allowing the sun to reach the leaves below. Plant near a border or fence line to protect other plants. Plants that like to climb will use pigeon pea branches as support.

Locally sourced seed

Please Note:

** Pots and plants may vary from the picture depending on the size and maturity ordered. All plants have been carefully hardened off and are ready to be transplanted into their permanent garden home or pot once delivered.

** Growing details provided are general. Conditions will change depending on your location, elevation, climate, rainfall, and accessible sunlight.

** Nutritional information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.