Growing Peanuts in Containers is the best way to harvest this powerhouse snack at home! Let’s have a look at How to Grow Peanut in Pots!
Growing Peanuts in Containers is actually easier than you think. If you live in an apartment, you can also harvest them on a balcony! Sounds exciting? Let’s learn all about How to Grow Peanut in Pots!
USDA Zones: 6-11
Botanical Name: Arachis hypogaea
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How to Plant Peanuts?
Propagating peanuts is easy. All you have to do is to get organic and raw peanuts from any garden center or online store and plant them in soil. Yes, it is that easy! Avoid getting boiled or roasted peanuts as they won’t germinate.
Pro Tip: To increase the chances of germination, always plant 8-10 peanuts.
How to Grow Peanuts in Containers?
As peanuts grow in the roots, it is important that you get a deep pot. Go for a container that’s at least 14-18 inches deep. Fill it with a well-draining growing medium and plant 4-6 peanuts.
For proper germination, the temperature must be above 70F (21C). After a week or two, the seeds will germinate.
Pro Tip: Virginia, Spanish, Runner, and Valencia peanuts are the best ones to grow in containers.
Find out the best nuts for growing in containers here
Requirements for Growing Peanuts in Containers
Sunlight / Location
Peanut is a tropical plant, it loves to grow in slightly humid and warm conditions. When growing peanuts in containers, place them in the sunniest but less windy spot. Pick a location that gets a minimum of 5-6 hours of direct sun.
Remember, the plant won’t survive below 32F (0C).
Soil
For growing peanuts in containers, make sure the growing medium is rich in humus. Amend the soil with plenty of organic matter and compost at the time of planting.
The plant grows best in the pH range from 6.0-6.5.
Watering
When growing peanuts in pots, keep the soil slightly moist. During the early growth and flowering period, increase watering. Do not let the soil go dry completely.
You also have to avoid overwatering the plant. The best rule to follow is to keep an eye on the top soil. If it feels dry in the top 1 inch, water the plant.
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Peanut Plant Care
Earthing Up The Plant
The base of the plant needs to be covered with soil completely to increase the growth of peanuts. When it grows to about 8-12 inches tall, pour more soil at the bottom of the plant. This process is termed earthing up and it is the same as what you would do for the potato plants.
Keep doing this till the plant grows 18-20 inches tall.
Fertilizer
Initially, the plant will not need any type of fertilization, but when you see the first flowers, feed it with a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half its strength, once in 2-4 weeks.
Avoid using a high nitrogen fertilizer.
Pests and Diseases
The most common diseases, in addition to molds and fungi, are leaf spots. In pests, it is attacked by aphids, potato leafhopper, and spider mites. Use a neem oil solution or an insecticidal soap to get rid of them.
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Harvesting Peanuts
From sowing peanuts to harvesting, it will take anywhere between 100-150 days. Look for the leaves turning yellow, that’s an indication that the peanuts are ready.
- Take the entire plant out and let it dry in the sun. Once it is dry, shake off the excess soil and take the peanuts off.
- It is always best to harvest the plant in dry and warm weather.
Where does one get peanut ‘seeds’?
Baker Creek Seeds has several varieties. So do several other companies – just Google “peanuts for planting” and you should be able to find several options!
Usually catalogs or online seed distributors
I get mine from the thrift store
I get mine from Amazon.com, 30- 36 seeds for @$5.
Be careful ordering from Amazon. A it of their stuff is coming from China. I ordered some and they took over a month to arrive. There were seeds missing too. I’m willing to give them a try though as they were cheap.. I’ll buy American next time…
peanut seeds are peanuts. you eat them. You buy them at a grocery store. Buy NON roasted nuts, you dont even need to shell them it will root even if you plant the whole unroasted shell. Squirrels burry peanuts with shells in my flower pots and they root and grow. If a squirrel can do it, its pretty easy. Dont “order” peanut seeds, they are just peanuts you can get anyplace! just dont get roasted or salted.
I got mine at food City
I get mine from the squirrels who plant them in my garden.
Northern growers should start a peanut plant indoors in a large peat pot a month before the last frost. Sow seeds one inch deep, place in the sunniest spot possible, and water weekly. Transplant peanut plant seedlings to the garden when the soil warms to between 60 and 70 degrees. Space transplants 10 inches apart, being careful not to damage or bury the crown.
I get mine from the the neighbors via squirrels. The squirrels even plant them for me in my containers :)
We had mice get into the peanuts we feed the squirrels, and then bury them in my potting soil. I thought I got them all, but I now have peanut plants growing in my houseplants!!!
Buy RAW peanuts from the local grocery store. Most will be a Virginia variety if they came from North Carolina.
Two pounds for a few dollars. I’ve planted several after soaking in a wet towel to grow indoors and get 95% germination.
The ones I bought were from Hampton Farms in North Carolina and were either Baily 2 or Sullivan, large pod, 2 or 3 peanuts each. Both are a variety of Virginia Peanut.