Peanut
Arachis hypogaea
Also known asGroundnut · Goober · Pinder · Earthnut · Mani · Moongphali
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 6–11 (winter low around -23°C)
- Frost
- frost sensitive (dies at first frost)
- Season
- warm (summer, frost-sensitive)
Growing systems
Root mass: moderate.
Growing media
| Medium | pH effect | Retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies | high | high |
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.7 |
| vegetative | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1.2 |
| flowering | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1.4 |
| fruiting | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1.4 |
Aquaponics suitability
Not recommended
Fish waste alone doesn't supply enough of what this crop demands. Grows in hybrid systems with supplemental dosing, but expect active management.
Care notes
An unusual hydroponic crop requiring deep media beds because the fruit develops underground. Media beds with 15 cm of loose substrate (perlite, sand, or coir) to accommodate the pegs pushing into the media. EC 1.0-2.0 mS/cm (light feeder). pH 6.0-7.0. Temperature: 22–32°C (warm-season; frost kills the plant). High light (DLI 18-25 mol/m2/day). From seed to harvest: 120-150 days. Direct seed into the media bed (peanuts don't transplant well). After flowering (small yellow flowers appear along the lower stems), the pegs push downward; ensure the media around the base of the plant is loose enough for peg penetration. As a legume, peanuts fix nitrogen through Bradyrhizobium root nodules. Harvest when the foliage yellows and the pods have developed their characteristic netted texture. Dig the entire plant carefully and cure the pods by drying in a warm, ventilated area for 1-2 weeks. Each plant produces 25-50 pods. A fun, educational crop for families, though the long season and space requirements make it impractical for commercial hydroponic production.
Notable varieties
| Cultivar | Type | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runner (Georgia Green) | open pollinated | 140 | The peanut-butter peanut, US Southeast commercial standard. Medium uniform kernels, prostrate growth habit covering 1 m diameter per plant. Georgia Green is the released cultivar that dominated production through the 1990s-2010s. Disease-resistant. Zones 7-10. |
| Virginia (Bailey, Wynne) | open pollinated | 150 | Large kernels, the cocktail and in-shell roasted peanut. Bunch-type growth (more upright than Runner). Grown in the Virginia-Carolina belt. Higher market value, lower yield. Zones 7-10. Bailey is the modern disease-resistant standard. |
| Spanish (Tamspan, Pronto) | open pollinated | 120 | Small reddish-skinned kernels with high oil content, used for peanut candy, salted snacks, and oil pressing. Earlier than Runner or Virginia, useful for short-season growing. Drought-tolerant. Zones 6-10. |
| Valencia (Tennessee Red) | open pollinated | 130 | 3-4 small light-tan kernels per pod with red papery skin. The in-shell roasted peanut at sporting events. Sweet flavor, less oil than other types. Bunch growth. Heritage and home-grower favorite. Zones 7-10. |