Perennial Peanut Plants – Caring For Ornamental Peanuts In The Garden
What are perennial peanuts (Arachis glabrata) and what are they used for? Well, they’re not your average peanut with which most of us are familiar with – they’re actually more ornamental. Read on to learn more about growing perennial peanut plants (also known as ornamental peanuts).
What are Ornamental Peanuts?
Due to the high nutritive value, perennial peanuts are grown primarily for hay and are often used as a grazing crop for livestock. Perennial peanuts are suitable for growing in the warm, non-freezing climates of USDA plant hardiness zones 8b through 11. In the garden, perennial peanut plants are highly effective as a groundcover and soil stabilizer in sunny areas. They are often grown for their ornamental value and can be used as a lawn substitute. Although they don’t produce peanuts, you can eat the yellow blooms, which add a nutty flavor to stir fries and salads.
Using Perennial Peanut for Groundcover
Plant perennial peanuts in early spring, and by summer, the plants are thick enough to choke out most weeds and other unwanted plants. The bright yellow flowers are an added bonus. The plants are nipped by winter frost, but if the cold isn’t too severe, they regrow from rhizomes the following spring. In cooler climates, perennial peanuts can be grown as annuals. Perennial peanuts prefer heat, sunlight, and sandy, well-drained soil. The plants, which need at least 30 inches (76 cm.) of rain per year, aren’t suitable for dry climates unless you can irrigate frequently.
Ornamental Peanut Care
As noted above, perennial peanut plants require a considerable amount of water and, although the plants are disease resistant, they may be afflicted by certain viruses when stressed by lack of moisture. As long as you keep the plants well irrigated, very little care is required.
Managing Ornamental Peanuts Grown as Lawn Substitutes
Although perennial peanut plants aren’t seriously invasive, they spread by underground rhizomes and can find their way into areas where they aren’t welcome. If you’re growing ornamental peanuts as a lawn substitute, a plastic, fiberglass, or metal edging will help keep the plant where you want it and out of your flower beds. Mow every three to four weeks to maintain a turf-like height. Frequent mowing will also stimulate the plant to produce more flowers. Place steppingstones strategically along well-trod areas: perennial peanut plants don’t tolerate much foot traffic.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
A Credentialed Garden Writer, Mary H. Dyer was with Gardening Know How in the very beginning, publishing articles as early as 2007.
-
Climate Change And Pests: Do Warmer Winters Mean More Pests?
Warmer climates can result in an increase of some pests and decrease of others, which isn’t always a good thing. Here's how to protect your garden.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
What Is A Water Wick? How To Use One To Keep Houseplants Hydrated While You’re Away
A water wick for plants will give you a worry-free break if you need to leave your plant babies for a while. It’s easy to set up and pretty much runs itself.
By Amy Grant
-
Valencia Peanut Info: Learn How To Grow Valencia Peanuts
If you are only familiar with peanuts in the form of peanut butter or ballpark snack, you may be wondering what are Valencia peanuts? Click this article to find out how to grow Valencia peanuts and other info on Valencia peanut varieties.
By Amy Grant
-
Spanish Peanut Information: Tips On Growing Spanish Peanuts In Gardens
If you've ever enjoyed peanut candies or peanut butter, then I'm sure you are familiar with their tasty potential and can't wait to get started growing Spanish peanuts in your garden. Let's get talking about Spanish peanut information and find out how to grow Spanish peanuts here.
By Shelley Pierce
-
Watering Peanut Plants: How And When To Water A Peanut Plant
Half the fun of raising peanut plants is watching them grow and change rapidly. But in order to achieve this feat, certain peanut water requirements must be met. So how much water does a peanut plant need? Find out in this article.
By Gardening Know How
-
What Is A Virginia Peanut: Information On Planting Virginia Peanuts
Among their many common names, Virginia peanuts are called goobers, ground nuts and ground peas. Although they're not grown exclusively in Virginia, their common name gives a nod to the warm southeastern climates where they thrive. Learn about them here.
By Victoria Blackstone
-
Indoor Peanut Growing – Learn How To Grow Peanuts Indoors
Can I grow a peanut plant indoors? This may sound like an odd question to people who live in sunny, warm climates, but for gardeners in chilly climates, the question makes perfect sense! If you want to learn how to grow peanuts indoors, click this article.
By Mary H. Dyer
-
Runner Type Peanuts – Information About Runner Peanut Plants
Peanuts are not at the top of the list of the most common plants in the garden, but they should be. They're relatively easy to grow, and there's nothing cooler than curing and shelling your very own peanuts. Learn about runner type peanuts in this article.
By Liz Baessler
-
Groundcover Peanut Varieties: Using Peanut Plants As Groundcover
If you are tired of mowing your lawn, take heart. There is a perennial peanut plant that produces no nuts but provides a beautiful lawn alternative. The pretty little yellow flowers are edible and can be used in salads. Learn more about these plants here.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Types Of Peanut Plants: Learn About Different Varieties Of Peanut
Want to grow peanuts? How hard can it be? After all a peanut is a peanut. But what if your search of peanut plant seeds reveals that there's more variety to peanuts than you knew? Learn about the differences between these peanut plant varieties in this article.
By Darcy Larum