Pigeon Pea — Live Plants

Cajanus cajan | Also known as Gungo Peas, Gandules, Congo Peas

One of the most culturally significant legumes in the Caribbean, Africa, and South Asia — Pigeon Pea has fed communities for over 3,500 years. Hardy, drought-tolerant, and incredibly productive, this perennial shrub earns its place in any tropical or warm-climate garden.

Why Grow Pigeon Pea?

• 🌿 Nitrogen-fixing — naturally improves soil fertility, benefiting neighboring crops
• ☀️ Drought-tolerant — thrives with minimal water once established
• 🌱 Grows in all soil types — including poor, marginal soils
• 🫘 High-protein harvest — eaten fresh as a green vegetable or dried for lentils
• 🌳 Perennial in warm climates — grows as a productive 4–5 ft shrub year after year
• 🐔 Dual-purpose — excellent as chicken feed and intercrop companion with corn, cotton, and pulses

In the Kitchen

Pigeon peas have a pungent, slightly sweet flavor with a mealy texture. They're the heart of classic Caribbean rice and peas dishes, slow-cooked stews, and dal-style preparations. Harvest pods young for fresh eating, or let them dry on the plant for shelf-stable dried peas.

Growing Guide

• Days to maturity: ~140 days from transplant
• Plant size: 4–5 ft tall shrub
• Fruit: Pods with 4–5 peas, borne in clusters
• Sun: Full sun
• Spacing: 90 cm × 20 cm (farm); 5 ft × 5 ft (garden)
• Climate: Perennial in tropical/subtropical zones; grown as annual where frost occurs
• Plant after all frost danger has passed and soil has warmed; germination takes 15–20 days

Ships as live starter plants. Available in 3-plant, 10-plant, and 25-plant quantities.