How to grow Peanuts
Updated October 2026
Peanuts are fun to grow: the plant flowers above ground, then pushes pegs into the soil where the nuts form. They need a long, warm season, loose sandy soil and steady moisture. Peanuts are a big Southern crop, and quick Valencia and Spanish types can also mature in northern gardens with a little help.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Peanuts
Where to plant
Peanuts need full sun and light, loose, sandy soil rich in organic matter, so the pegs can push into the ground and the pods can swell. Heavy soil needs plenty of compost. They need warm soil to start, above about 65°F, and a long, warm season to mature.
- North and Central Florida: plant from March through May.
- The Gulf South, Texas and the Southeast: plant after the last frost once the soil is warm; runner and Virginia types do well in these long seasons.
- The Mid-South, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains and California: plant after frost once soil warms; Spanish and Valencia types are safest.
- The Midwest, Northeast, Mountain West and Northern Plains: choose quick Valencia or early Spanish types and use season extenders such as row cover or a hoop house; remove any plastic mulch once plants flower.
Choosing a variety
| Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Runner | The main Southeastern type with good flavor and yields; 'Florunner' and 'Sunrunner' take about 135 days in Florida |
| Virginia | Large nuts, one or two per pod, ideal for roasting; 'Florigiant' takes about 135 days |
| Spanish | Small nuts, two or three per pod, high in oil; 90 to 130 days, such as 'Star' and 'Tamnut 74' |
| Valencia | Three or more small, sweet nuts per pod; 120 to 130 days; best for short seasons and for boiling green |
How to plant
- Use raw, unroasted peanuts from a seed supplier. Shelled seed sprouts faster, but discard any with damaged red seed coats; in Florida, UF/IFAS suggests planting in the shell for the fastest germination.
- Coat the seed with a peanut or legume inoculant before planting so the roots can fix their own nitrogen.
- Sow 1 1/2 to 3 inches deep, 4 to 6 inches apart, in rows 2 to 3 feet apart, once the soil is above 65°F.
- When plants are about a foot tall, hill loose soil around them like potatoes so the pegs can reach the soil, then mulch between plants.
Watering and feeding
Peanuts need steady moisture, about 1 to 2 inches a week, watered deeply. Uneven watering causes root rots and lower yields.
If seed was inoculated, peanuts usually need no nitrogen fertilizer. They need plenty of calcium for full pods, so UF/IFAS advises applying agricultural gypsum beside the row just after the plants bloom.
Pruning and care through the year
- Once pegs have entered the soil, cultivate only very shallowly so you do not disturb developing pods; mulch instead.
- Protect the patch from mice and other animals, which dig up developing and drying nuts.
Harvesting
Dig plants when the leaves begin to yellow, usually in fall, or after the first frost, loosening the soil with a fork. Valencia types for boiling are dug while still green. Check the soil for loose pods.
Let the plants cure in a dry, airy place for 1 to 2 weeks, then pick the pods and dry them for another 2 to 3 weeks before storing them cool and dry. Roast dried peanuts at 350°F for about 15 minutes.
Companion planting
Peanuts are low, sprawling legumes that like the same warm conditions as corn and squash.
Good companions
- Sweet corn A tall summer crop for the north side of the bed.
- Squash Another warm-season crop for the same rotation.
Pests and diseases
Home-garden peanuts are usually not badly affected by insects. Animals are often the bigger problem.
Pests to watch for
- Thrips Distorted, scarred young leaves early in the season.
- Caterpillars Armyworms, corn earworms and cutworms chewing leaves or cutting seedlings.
- Root-knot nematodes Stunted plants with galls on roots and pods in sandy soil.
Diseases to watch for
Common questions
How do peanuts grow underground?
After the yellow flowers fade, a stalk called a peg grows down into the soil, and the pod forms there. That is why peanuts need loose soil and why hilling helps.
Can I plant peanuts from the grocery store?
Only raw, unroasted ones, and seed peanuts from a supplier are more reliable. Roasted peanuts will not grow.
When are peanuts ready to dig?
When the leaves start to yellow, usually 90 to 165 days after planting depending on the type. Dig a test plant first to check the pods are full.
Can I grow peanuts in the North?
Yes, with quick Valencia or early Spanish types, warm soil, and season extenders such as row cover or a hoop house.
Do peanuts need fertilizer?
Usually not nitrogen, if the seed is inoculated, because they fix their own. They do need calcium, so apply gypsum beside the row after bloom.
Sources we checked: UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peanuts; Utah State University Extension: Peanuts in the Garden.
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