The peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is a leguminous perennial plant that comes from South America. In the UK, it is usually grown as an annual. Technically, peanuts are not actually nuts as the plant belongs to the Fabaceae (pea and bean) family. Peanuts are commonly referred to as groundnuts, earthnuts, or monkey nuts.
The common name ‘groundnut’ comes from the unusual habit of the plant burying its pods in the ground. The plants grow extra roots that hold the flowers in place, or “peg” them into the ground. The pods also grow in the soil.
No, peanuts are not native to the UK. However, they can be grown successfully in some areas, especially in warmer areas (and/or indoors) and with the right care. They do best in pots in a greenhouse or conservatory, but in warmer places in the summer you might be able to grow them outside.
Growing peanuts is a fun gardening adventure that allows you to produce your own delicious nuts even if you live in a region with a shorter growing season. With the right techniques, it’s possible to successfully grow peanuts on a patio balcony or elsewhere using containers.
Peanuts are commonly grown in the ground across the Southern United States. But gardeners farther north can replicate the warm humid growing conditions peanuts need by planting them in pots. With a little effort you can harvest homegrown peanuts that are perfect for roasting, boiling, adding to recipes and more.
Here is a complete guide to planting peanuts in containers and caring for them throughout the season.
Choosing a Peanut Variety
The first step is picking out a suitable peanut variety. Look for an early maturing, container-friendly cultivar. Some top choices include:
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Virginia Jumbo – Produces extra large peanuts good for roasting. Matures in 100 days.
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Early Spanish – Compact plants with small, sweet nuts perfect for boiling. Matures in 90 days.
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Red Natal – Striking red skins and excellent flavor. Matures in 120 days.
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Early Runner – A runner-type peanut that matures quickly. Good for peanut butter.
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Valencia – Sweet, bright red-skinned nuts. Takes 110 days to mature.
Virginia, Spanish and Valencia types are all commonly grown in containers. Avoid late-maturing varieties that require long seasons. Purchase raw peanuts in the shell to use for planting.
Selecting the Right Container
You’ll need a container that is at least 18-20 inches (46-51 cm) wide and 18 inches (46 cm) deep. This gives peanuts adequate room to develop their long taproots. The container must also have drainage holes in the bottom to prevent soggy soil.
Pots, half barrels, 5 gallon buckets, bushel baskets and other vessels work well. For a continuous harvest, plant 3-4 containers with a couple weeks between plantings. Dwarf varieties can be spaced 12 inches (30 cm) apart while regular varieties need 18-24 inches (46-61 cm).
Make sure you have a tray or plate to catch drainage beneath the containers. Elevate pots off the ground for better results.
Preparing the Soil Mix
Peanuts thrive in loose, sandy soil that retains moisture but drains well. Prepare a customized soil mix for your containers.
Combine:
- 2 parts potting mix
- 1 part coarse sand or perlite
- 1 part compost
Mix thoroughly before filling containers. Peanuts prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0-6.5. Test soil and amend if needed.
Planting the Peanuts
Once overnight temperatures remain above 50°F (10°C), you can begin planting peanuts in containers outdoors. Follow these steps:
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Gently break open peanut shells, taking care not to damage the seed.
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Fill containers with prepared soil mix. Leave 2 inches (5 cm) below the rim.
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Dig holes 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) deep and space 6 inches (15 cm) apart.
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Place 2-3 seeds in each hole and cover with soil.
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Water thoroughly until drainage flows from the bottom.
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Place containers in full sun.
You can also start peanuts indoors 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost date. Sow seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep in seedling trays and transplant outdoors after hardening off. Take care not to disturb the taproot when transplanting.
Caring for Container Peanuts
Peanuts thrive with consistent care once planted. Follow these tips:
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Water whenever the top 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) of soil become dry. Avoid both severe drought and waterlogged soil.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks after plants are established.
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Cover plants if frost is expected. Move containers indoors if nights drop below 50°F (10°C).
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Mulch plants after they begin flowering to retain soil moisture and reduce weeds.
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Gently mound soil, mulch or compost around the base of plants once peg roots form. Repeat periodically.
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Support plants with trellises or cages if needed to prevent toppling.
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Monitor for pests like spider mites, aphids and thrips and treat as needed.
With the proper care, your peanut plants will flourish all season!
Harvesting Peanuts
Peanuts take 90-120 days to reach full maturity depending on the variety. They are ready to harvest when the foliage begins turning yellow and the insides of pods are fully developed.
To check if peanuts are mature, carefully dig up a few pods. If they are plump with well-filled shells, it’s time to harvest. Use these steps:
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Stop watering plants 1-2 weeks before harvest. This makes harvesting easier.
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Once plants start dying back, gently dig them up or invert containers and shake out.
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Pull peanuts off vines and gather fallen nuts from soil. Handle carefully to avoid bruising.
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Spread peanuts in a single layer and allow to dry at room temperature for 1-2 weeks.
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Remove shells once peanuts are fully dried. Discard any undeveloped pods.
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Store peanuts in mesh bags or containers in a cool, dry spot. Enjoy!
With some patience, you can produce satisfying harvests of homegrown peanuts from containers. Consider planting an extra early variety at the same time as your main crop for an extended harvest.
Tips for Maximizing Container Peanut Yields
Follow these suggestions to increase your chances of a bountiful peanut harvest:
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Grow dwarf or compact varieties suited to containers.
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Select large pots and increase depth with grow bags if possible.
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Use a sandy loam soil mix and maintain even moisture.
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Fertilize plants regularly and mound soil around bases.
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Place containers together to improve pollination.
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Use row covers to extend the growing season.
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Check soil pH and amend if needed. Peanuts prefer slightly acidic conditions.
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Control weeds, diseases and pests. Healthy plants produce more.
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Grow multiple pots for successive plantings and stagger harvests.
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Cure peanuts slowly once harvested and check for quality.
With optimal care, each healthy plant can produce over a pound of tasty peanuts for you to enjoy!
Storing and Using Homegrown Peanuts
Part of the fun of growing peanuts is figuring out what to do with your harvest. Here are some ideas:
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Roast peanuts in the shell or add to trail mixes.
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Boil peanuts to create a tender, flavorful Southern snack.
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Grind peanuts into delicious homemade peanut butter.
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Use shelled peanuts to create unique dips, candies and baked goods.
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Press your own peanut oil for cooking.
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Save some “seed peanuts” in shells for next year’s garden.
Properly cured and stored, peanuts will last for several months. Refrigerate shelled nuts to extend shelf life. The fresh, rich flavor of homegrown peanuts is incredible!
Growing peanuts in containers is a fun gardening challenge that lets anyone produce this tasty crop. With the right variety, materials and care, you can succeed in harvesting buckets of delicious homegrown peanuts. Getting started is as easy as grabbing a pot and some raw peanut seeds!
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Where to grow peanut plants
To grow properly, peanut plants need warm weather and a long growing season with at least 120 to 150 frost-free days. Because of this, they do best in warmer parts of the UK, like the south of England and Wales. Because the growing season is shorter in colder places, peanuts may not produce a good harvest. However, you can get around this by growing them in a conservatory or greenhouse.
Peanuts can be grown in the ground or in containers, depending on your preference and available space. If growing in the ground, choose a well-drained spot that gets plenty of sunlight. If your soil is heavy clay, lighten it first by adding plenty of compost or horticultural grit. Avoid areas prone to water logging, as peanuts do not tolerate waterlogged conditions. If you’re growing in pots, make sure the pots are big enough to fit the pegging process. This is because the peanuts need room to grow underground.
How to plant peanut seeds
Once there is no longer any chance of frost and the ground is warm enough, plant peanuts in late spring or early summer. However, you can bring the season forward by planting in pots undercover from March. Choose plump, unshelled raw peanuts – if they have been roasted or boiled they won’t grow.
Plant peanut seeds 3-5cm deep, with a spacing of 30-45cm apart. Water well and allow to drain, and then keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season.
Peanuts can also be grown from plugs and young plants. Plant these from May in a large container (at least 45cm deep and 45cm across). Water daily in warm weather.
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How To Grow Peanuts In Containers
FAQ
Do peanuts grow well in containers?
Can I grow peanuts in a 5 gallon bucket?
What is the best month to plant peanuts?
Do you soak peanuts before planting?
Can you grow peanuts in containers?
Yes, you can grow peanuts in containers because of the need to extend the growing season for those in cooler climates. Continue reading to learn how to grow peanut plants in containers. Peanuts, scientifically known as Arachis hypogaea, are hardy in zones 6 to 11.
How do you grow peanuts in a pot?
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. When growing peanuts in pots, keep the soil slightly moist. During the early growth and flowering period, increase watering.
How deep do you plant peanuts in a container?
You don’t have to have huge containers to grow peanuts, but they do need to be deep. As long as your container is 18 to 24 inches in depth, it will work well. Large round pots and 5 gallon buckets both work great for peanut growing. Fill the containers with potting soil to a height of 2 to 3 inches below the top of the container.
How many peanut plants can you grow in a pot?
Aside from the size of the pots, make sure the container has sufficient drainage holes. You want to make sure that the peanuts won’t be stuck in standing water or soggy soil, which will cause them to rot. In each container, you can grow 2-3 plants. If you pick a larger pot, you can grow even more.
How big should a peanut container be?
Peanut containers can be made of plastic, wood, or metal. It is most important that the container has holes in the bottom to allow drainage and that it has sufficient space for the plant to grow without being crowded. Your container should be at least five centimeters (two inches) wider and deeper than the peanut plant.
How do you grow peanuts outside?
Fill your starter tray or pots with soil. Bury your peanut seeds in the soil, covering it thinly. Water the seeds and keep them in a warm area. It can take up 7-14 days for the seeds to germinate, so be patient. 5. When To Plant Peanuts Outside Peanuts are warm-season crops that cannot handle a frost.