Where Do Peanut Plants Grow

Peanut plants grow best in warm, sunny climates with long growing seasons. They require well-drained, sandy soil and consistent warmth to thrive. In their natural environment, peanuts are grown in subtropical and tropical regions, but they can also be cultivated in temperate zones during warmer months. In the UK, peanuts can be grown successfully in greenhouses, polytunnels or sheltered outdoor spots during the summer. They need about four to five months of frost-free conditions to mature fully, making them more challenging to grow outdoors unless the weather is unusually favourable.

How to grow a peanut plant

To grow a peanut plant, you need raw, unroasted peanuts still in their shells or with the skin intact. These are planted after the last frost, once the soil has warmed. The plants start as small green shoots and eventually produce yellow flowers. After pollination, the flower stalks bend down and push into the soil, where the peanuts develop underground. Peanut plants grow low to the ground and spread out, so they need space, good drainage and full sun throughout the growing period. They grow particularly well in containers if the soil is kept light and warm.

Where are peanuts native to

Peanuts are native to South America, particularly the region around modern-day Bolivia and northwestern Argentina. They have been cultivated for thousands of years and were spread to other parts of the world by Spanish and Portuguese explorers. Today, peanuts are widely grown in countries with suitable climates such as India, China, Nigeria and the southern United States. Their origin in warm, sandy soils explains their strong preference for similar conditions when cultivated elsewhere.

How to plant peanut seeds

To plant peanut seeds, start with raw peanuts—not roasted or salted—and remove them from their shells carefully. Sow them directly into well-drained soil about 4 to 5 centimetres deep, spaced around 20 to 30 centimetres apart. This can be done in the ground or in deep containers filled with sandy, loose compost. If the weather is still too cool, start them off indoors in pots in April and transplant them outside once temperatures remain reliably above 15°C. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy during germination and early growth.

How to care for peanut plants

Peanut plants are relatively low-maintenance but need consistent warmth, moisture and light to grow well. They prefer full sun and do best when kept in temperatures above 20°C. Regular watering is important, especially when the plant is flowering and setting pods underground. However, overwatering should be avoided, as soggy soil can lead to rot. Lightly mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. As the plants grow, they may benefit from gentle earthing up—adding soil around the base to support the pegs as they push into the ground to form peanuts.

How to harvest peanuts

Peanuts are ready to harvest about four to five months after planting, once the foliage begins to yellow and die back. This typically happens in early autumn. To harvest, carefully loosen the soil around the plant and lift it gently, shaking off excess earth. The peanuts will be attached to the roots. Allow the whole plant to dry in a warm, well-ventilated space for one to two weeks. Once dry, you can remove the pods and store them in a cool, dry place. Freshly harvested peanuts can be eaten raw or roasted once fully cured.

How to propagate peanut plants

Peanuts are most commonly grown from seed, but they can also be propagated by using the fresh seeds from a harvested crop. Choose healthy, undamaged pods and dry them thoroughly. Store them over winter in a cool, dark place. Replant them the following season in warm soil once the risk of frost has passed. In warmer regions, peanut plants may reseed themselves, but this is unlikely in the UK unless grown in controlled conditions. As a legume, peanuts enrich the soil with nitrogen, making them a useful crop in rotation with other garden plants.

Can you grow peanuts in the UK?

Yes, you can grow peanuts in the UK, but you’ll need to create the right conditions. Because peanuts require around 120 frost-free days and warm soil, they’re best grown under cover in cooler climates. In southern parts of the UK, it’s possible to grow them outdoors in a good summer, but for reliable results, it’s far easier to grow them in a greenhouse, polytunnel or sunny conservatory. The plants need warmth to flower and develop pods, and soil temperatures need to stay above 15°C for successful germination and pod formation.

While yields won’t be as large as in tropical regions, growing peanuts here is a fun and educational project—especially in schools, with children, or in urban gardens. The unusual process of flowers diving underground to form pods makes it a fascinating crop to watch develop.

How to grow peanuts in containers

Peanuts grow very well in deep containers or grow bags, which can be moved to chase the sun or protected from cooler nights. Choose a container at least 30cm deep to allow space for the roots and underground pods to develop. Fill it with light, sandy compost, ideally mixed with horticultural grit to improve drainage.

Plant your peanut seeds (raw, unsalted and unroasted) about 5cm deep, spacing them 10 to 15cm apart if planting multiple in one container. Water consistently to keep the compost just moist—not wet—and place the pot in the warmest, sunniest spot you can find. As the plant grows and starts to flower, ensure the surface remains loose and friable so the pegs can easily push into the soil. You can lightly earth up the base to encourage more pod formation.

Because containers can dry out quickly, regular watering is key. Feeding is rarely needed, as peanuts are legumes and can fix their own nitrogen. However, a light potash feed during flowering can support pod development.

Peanuts as part of crop rotation

Peanuts, like other legumes, have the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil through their root nodules. This means they can enrich soil for future crops, making them a good addition to a crop rotation system. After harvesting peanuts, follow them with heavy feeders like brassicas, which benefit from the improved soil structure and nutrient levels.

Protecting peanut plants from pests and problems

Peanuts grown in the UK are mostly pest-free, especially when grown in containers or indoors. However, watch for slugs, especially when young shoots emerge. Too much moisture, particularly in clay soils or poorly drained containers, can lead to root rot or fungal issues. Make sure soil is free-draining and avoid watering late in the day to prevent cold, wet conditions around the base of the plant.

Storing and using homegrown peanuts

After harvesting and drying your peanuts, remove the pods and store them somewhere cool and dry. You can roast them in the oven at a low temperature to enhance flavour, or leave them raw if you plan to save them for planting. You can also make your own peanut butter or add them to salads and stir-fries—homegrown peanuts are surprisingly versatile.