Arachis hypogaea
Family: Papilionaceae

Believed to have originated from tropical Brazil, Arachis hypogea is now grown commercially, being an important source of food and oil in many warmer regions of the world. In frost-prone climates, it should be grown in a heated greenhouse, with a humid atmosphere, as a growing temperature of 20°-30°C (68°-86°F) is required.

The peanut is an annual, to about 30 cm (12 in) high, but with a spreading habit of growth. It produces yellow, pea-like flowers during summer. After pollination and pod (shell) set, the stem elongates and bends, forcing the young pods into the ground, where they mature and ripen. When fully developed and ripe, they must be dug like any other root crop. The seeds within the pods are the peanuts. High in protein, the nut can be eaten raw or roasted, or used in confectionery and cooking.

Cultivation

Peanuts can be grown in the home garden or greenhouse border. They are propagated from seed in spring, which is the raw nut inside the shell of an unroasted peanut. They need warm conditions and the soil must be light and friable. If necessary, the plants can be grown on a mound or ridge. Once growth is under way, plants need regular watering but the ground should never be sodden. The crop takes four to five months from sowing to harvest.

Climate

Zone 9, but can be grown in cooler climates under glass.