Pigeon Pea — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Cajanus cajan |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 5–10 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 18.3–35 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 120–180 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 91.4–152.4 |
| Mature height (cm) | 91.4–243.8 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 91.4–152.4 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 9–12 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Sow seeds 1 inch deep in well-drained, low-fertility soil in full sun after soil warms to 65°F; pigeon pea is a deep-rooted, drought-tolerant shrubby legume that is one of the world's most important tropical food crops — the yellow, green, or red seeds (arhar dal, toor dal) are a dietary staple across the Caribbean, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, used in dals, stews, rice dishes, and soups. The plants fix atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules and thrive in poor soils without supplemental fertilizer; overly rich or wet soils reduce pod production. Harvest green pods when plump for fresh use or allow to fully dry on the plant for dried dal; in zone 9–12 plants become woody perennial shrubs and will continue producing pods for several years if pruned back hard after the main harvest to stimulate new growth. In zone 8 and below, grow as a warm-season annual and expect a single late-season harvest.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0