Perennial peanut
Arachis glabratafam. Fabaceae
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Pl. D09A — Arachis glabrata
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IOverview
Overview
Perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata) is a light-loving perennial that thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist soil of various types—light sandy, medium, or heavy clay. Native to regions including Argentina Northeast, Bolivia, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, and Paraguay, this plant is known for its edible flowers which can be enjoyed as a unique ingredient. One distinctive feature of perennial peanut is its ability to grow up to 0.3 meters in height, making it an attractive ornamental addition to gardens while also serving as a food source.
Quick answers
What is Perennial peanut?
Perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata) is a light-loving perennial that thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist soil of various types—light sandy, medium, or heavy clay.
Compare with:African Oil Bean Oil Bean Tree→African Walnut→Allanblackia parviflora→all comparisons →
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Perennial peanut thrives in full to partial sun and requires moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 8-11 and grows up to 0.3 meters tall as a perennial. For propagation, gardeners can use seeds or divisions. Harvest the edible flowers for culinary use.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
8-11
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Perennial peanut for the first time
7steps
Start with a simple, low-maintenance perennial that thrives in warm climates and full sun.
- 1
What you'll need
Perennial peanut seeds or small plants, garden gloves, trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in late spring after the last frost when temperatures are consistently above 20°C (68°F).
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with well-draining soil, either light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) types. Ensure full sun to partial shade.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 1-2 cm deep in rows spaced about 30 cm apart. Transplant small plants with care to avoid damaging roots.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide regular watering during dry spells. Fertilize sparingly if needed, using compost or well-rotted manure.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves and stems to maintain plant health and appearance. Flowers can be enjoyed but are not typically harvested.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Flowers
Edible uses: The flowers of the perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata) are edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. They add a mild flavor to salads or can be steamed as a side dish. Skip the detailed preparation methods here, as they were not provided in the data.
Other uses:Cover cropSoil conditionerNitrogen fixer
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
5 native · 7 introduced
Distribution
5 native · 7 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 5 native· 7 introduced
Asia1 region
introduced (1)Georgia
Americas2 regions
native (2)BoliviaParaguay
Africa3 regions
introduced (3)GhanaKenyaTanzania
Broader regions
native:Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, Argentina Northeast
introduced:Alabama, Florida, Louisiana
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Fabaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Fabaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
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Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
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