Cowpea
Vigna unguiculata
Also listed as Dolichos unguiculatus, Phaseolus unguiculatus
Also known as Black-eyed Pea, Southern Pea, Black-eyed-bean
Climate Match for your location
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Cowpea is a warm-season legume that produces edible pods and seeds, thriving in heat and drought conditions. It enriches soil through nitrogen fixation and is widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions as both a food crop and cover crop.
Why grow it
Cowpea outperforms many common beans in heat and drought tolerance, making it valuable for gardens in arid climates or during dry seasons when other legumes falter. Like other nitrogen-fixing crops, it reduces fertilizer inputs when used in rotation or as a cover crop. The dual-purpose harvest of both immature pods and mature seeds provides flexibility in timing and use, distinguishing it from single-purpose bean varieties.
Watch out for
Cowpea can require longer growing seasons in cooler climates, and germination may be poor if soil temperature drops below 65-70°F. Consistent moisture during flowering and pod development improves yields, so drought-tolerant does not mean drought-indifferent during these critical stages. Spider mites and aphids can become problematic in hot, dry conditions despite the plant's climate resilience.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native Range
West Africa
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Cowpea is a warm-season legume that produces edible pods and seeds, thriving in heat and drought conditions. It enriches soil through nitrogen fixation and is widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions as both a food crop and cover crop.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Cowpea grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Cowpea outperforms many common beans in heat and drought tolerance, making it valuable for gardens in arid climates or during dry seasons when other legumes falter. Like other nitrogen-fixing crops, it reduces fertilizer inputs when used in rotation or as a cover crop. The dual-purpose harvest of both immature pods and mature seeds provides flexibility in timing and use, distinguishing it from single-purpose bean varieties.
Watch out for
Cowpea can require longer growing seasons in cooler climates, and germination may be poor if soil temperature drops below 65-70°F. Consistent moisture during flowering and pod development improves yields, so drought-tolerant does not mean drought-indifferent during these critical stages. Spider mites and aphids can become problematic in hot, dry conditions despite the plant's climate resilience.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native Range
West Africa
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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