Cowpea (Black-eyed pea)

Vigna unguiculata

African and Asian legume serving simultaneously as warm-season green manure, fast-establishing cover crop, and edible pulse. Drought tolerant once established.

Hardiness ratings

Cowpea (Black-eyed pea) hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 3–12 −40 °C to 15.6 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 3–9 −34 °C and warmer Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–7 −15 °C and warmer Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating

As a tender annual, Cowpea (Black-eyed pea) doesn't overwinter — the zone range shows where the growing season supports it. See the RHS rating for its actual cold tolerance.

Growing notes

  • Drought tolerant once established — particularly suited to hot summer regions
  • Major staple crop across West Africa and the southern US
  • Frost-tender — warm-season cover only

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Cowpea (Black-eyed pea) against your zones

Reference

Cowpea (Black-eyed pea) on Wikipedia