Pigeon pea

Cajanus cajan

Short-lived shrubby legume — perennial in subtropical climates, grown as an annual elsewhere. Seeds are the basis of Indian dal; deep taproot breaks compacted soil.

Hardiness ratings

Pigeon pea hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 3–12 −40 °C to 15.6 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
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 Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–7 −15 °C and warmer Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Perennial in zones 9+, treated as a warm-season annual elsewhere
  • Edible seeds — major pulse crop across India and Africa
  • Deep taproot is a powerful soil-conditioner; cut tops for chop-and-drop mulch

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Pigeon pea against your zones

Reference

Pigeon pea on Wikipedia