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Pigeon pea – Cajanus cajan

Pigeon pea

Cajanus cajan
Edible value7Medicinal value3Other uses7
Shrub3×3.5 mzone 9–12full sun🍎 Edible

Will it grow where I live?

Pigeon pea is not winter-hardy in Central Europe (zone 9): outdoors from spring to autumn only, otherwise a container plant overwintered frost-free. The summer heat it needs to ripen is out of reach outdoors in Central Europe – greenhouse or conservatory.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family
Fabaceae
Habit
Shrub
Height
3 m
Spread
3.5 m
Growth
medium
Lifespan
5 years
First yield
after 1 year
Hardiness
zone 9–12
Shade tolerance
full sun
Soil
Sand, Silt, Loam
Soil moisture
moist – very wet
pH
5 – 7.5

Uses

Edible7 of 10
Medicinal3 of 10
Other uses7 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Pigeon pea: how big does it get?

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) grows as a Shrub and reaches roughly 3 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 3.5 m. Growth is medium.

Pigeon pea: what site does it need?

Pigeon pea tolerates full sun. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam. Soil moisture should be in the range moist – very wet. The pH may lie between 5 and 7.5.

Pigeon pea: is it hardy?

Pigeon pea is listed as hardy in zone 9–12 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Pigeon pea: will it grow in Central Europe?

Pigeon pea is not winter-hardy in Central Europe (zone 9): outdoors from spring to autumn only, otherwise a container plant overwintered frost-free. The summer heat it needs to ripen is out of reach outdoors in Central Europe – greenhouse or conservatory.

Pigeon pea: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Pigeon pea. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Pigeon pea: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 7/10, Medicinal 3/10, Other uses 7/10.

Community experience

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