Fall Deals:
15% OFF Strawberry Trees - Barbados Cherries - Papayas
15% Off Vitex & Sweet Almond
Roselle & Egyptian Spinach - Buy One Get One Free
🚚 Shipping Update:
We’re now shipping nationwide across the continental U.S. again! 🌱
📦 Please note: Shipping to California remains paused due to agricultural regulations.
🌿 ‘Black’ Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) — Beauty, Protein, and Living Fertility in One Plant 🌿
Meet a hard-working edible shrub that feeds your family, your soil, and your landscape design. ‘Black’ Pigeon Pea shines as a nitrogen-fixing support species and a delicious, globally beloved staple for soups, stews, curries, and rice dishes.
🌱 Captivating Introduction
Looking for a plant that’s both striking and useful? ‘Black’ Pigeon Pea delivers abundant protein-rich peas, lush green foliage, and natural nitrogen fixation—perfect for food forests, hedgerows, and regenerative gardens.
🌿 Quick Facts Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Cajanus cajan (‘Black’ type) |
| Plant Type | Short-lived perennial shrub/woody legume; warm-season annual in cold regions |
| Size at Sale | 1-gallon container |
| Mature Height & Width | 3–12 ft tall × 3–8 ft wide (pruned 4–6 ft for compact hedges; unpruned toward the upper range) |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 perennial; grow as a warm-season annual in zones 7–8 (with frost protection) |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun (6–8+ hours); tolerates bright partial sun |
| Cold Hardiness | Light frost tender; leaf damage ~30–32°F; top kill likely below ~28°F; roots may resprout in spring in warm zones |
| Growth Habit | Upright, branching, bushy; deep-rooted, drought-tough, nitrogen-fixing |
| Spacing Requirements | 3–4 ft for hedges, 6–10 ft for free-form shrubs/food-forest guilds |
🍈 Edible Product Details (Seeds/Pods)
- Flavor Profile: Peas are nutty, earthy, slightly sweet; tender when harvested green, richer and heartier when dried.
- Texture & Color: Green pods maturing to tan/brown; seeds dry to a dark (“black”) seed coat with firm texture that softens to creamy when cooked.
- Average Seed Size: Similar to common pigeon pea—about ¼–⅓ in diameter.
- Harvest Season:
- Florida/SE US: Typically late summer through fall on first-year plants; can continue into winter until frost.
- Other Regions: Warm-season harvest 4–6 months from planting; earlier in long, hot summers.
- Fruiting Habits & Yield: Heavy producer with generous pod set in full sun and well-drained soil. Best fruit set with consistent moisture during flowering, ample sun, and light formative pruning to encourage branching.
🌱 Top Benefits & Uses
- Culinary: Use green peas fresh (like garden peas) or mature/dried peas for split-pea style soups, toor dal/dhal, stews, arroz con gandules, curries, and hearty rice bowls.
- Nutritional: Naturally high in plant protein and fiber; cooks to a creamy, satisfying texture.
- Ornamental Appeal: Glossy, pinnately compound leaves; airy racemes of yellowish flowers; bushy habit great for textural contrast.
- Cultural Significance: Staple across Indian, Caribbean, African, and Pacific cuisines; associated with comfort foods and celebration dishes.
- Wildlife/Soil Benefits: Nectar/pollen for beneficials, deep roots improve soil structure, and symbiotic rhizobia fix nitrogen to feed companion plants.
- Industry/Utility: Excellent green manure, chop-and-drop mulch, living trellis, wind-softening hedge, and summer nurse crop in young orchards/food forests.
🌼 Ornamental & Container Gardening Notes
- Containers: Performs well in large pots—start with ≥12–16 in diameter (5–10 gal); upsize to 15–25 gal for multi-year plants. Ensure sharp drainage.
- Indoors: Not ideal long-term—needs abundant direct sun. Best on patios, porches, greenhouses, or bright south-facing spots.
- Landscape Uses:
- Edible hedge (3–6 ft with pruning)
- Food-forest support: nitrogen banker, nurse plant, and living trellis
- Pollinator strip edges and wind-softening borders
🌿 Best Practices for Planting and Care
Where to Plant
- Light: Full sun for best flowering and pod set.
- Soil: Well-drained sandy/loam; tolerates poorer soils once established.
- Site: Excellent in orchards, food forests, and sunny beds; avoid chronically wet or compacted sites.
Planting Instructions
- Dig a hole only slightly wider than the pot and no deeper than the root ball.
- Backfill with native soil blended with compost; do not bury the stem flare.
- Top-dress with a blend of biochar, compost, azomite, and your preferred organic nutrients.
- Follow GreenDreams’ “High & Tight” method for long-term success (search our YouTube for the planting walkthrough).
Watering
- Daily to establish for the first 1–2 weeks, then weekly during the first growing season.
- Increase frequency during heat/drought, especially during flowering and pod fill.
Mulching
- Use hardwood mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds; keep mulch off the stem to prevent rot and pests.
Seasonal Maintenance (Florida & Similar Climates)
- Prune lightly after harvest to maintain shape and stimulate branching for next season.
- In zone edges, protect from frost (row cover) or treat as a warm-season annual.
- Short-lived perennial (often 3–5 years); re-sow or replant as needed to keep the system productive.
⚠️ Cautions
- Pests: Monitor for aphids, caterpillars, and pod borers; encourage beneficial insects and use organic IPM when needed.
- Raw Seed Compounds: Like many legumes, raw seeds contain natural anti-nutritional factors—cook thoroughly.
- Self-Sowing: Can volunteer in warm climates; manage pods if you want tighter control.
🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?
✅ Ideal For:
- Home gardeners seeking edible + soil-building plants
- Permaculture and food-forest installations
- Cooks who love Caribbean, African, and Indian dishes
- Growers needing living mulch/green manure and a living trellis
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Deep shade locations or poorly drained sites
- Gardeners unwilling to provide frost protection at zone edges
- Indoor-only growers without high light
❓ FAQ
1) Is ‘Black’ Pigeon Pea a nitrogen fixer?
Yes. Cajanus cajan forms symbiosis with rhizobia, fixing atmospheric nitrogen and enriching nearby plants via root turnover and chop-and-drop.
2) How long until harvest?
Typically 4–6 months from planting in warm weather. You can harvest green (“shellie”) peas earlier; dried peas follow as pods mature.
3) Can I keep it compact?
Absolutely—tip-prune young plants to encourage branching and maintain a 3–6 ft edible hedge.
4) Will it grow in a container?
Yes—start with 12–16 in pots (5–10 gal) and size up. Use a coarse, well-drained mix and full sun.
5) What are good companion plants?
Bananas, papayas, cassava, sweet potatoes, moringa, and fruit trees—anything that benefits from nitrogen and light wind buffering.
📦 Shipping & Handling Notes (1-Gallon Size)
These smaller sizes are best suited for shipping to Florida, the Southeast, and Texas.
We do ship nationwide, but buyers in the northern and western US should expect potential transit stress and allow recovery time after arrival.
Heat/Cold Disclaimer: Please use buyer discretion during extreme temperatures. We ship Mondays via UPS Ground from Florida and are not responsible for heat or cold damage during transit.
📍 Local Pickup Availability
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Open Tues–Fri 9 AM–5 PM | Sat 8 AM–3 PM
Come see what’s fresh! 🌿
🛒 Ready to Grow & Enrich Your Soil?
Bring beauty, protein, and natural fertility to your garden—add ‘Black’ Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) to your cart today!
Make your edible landscape unforgettable with a plant that gives back all season long.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.
Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.
-
For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
-
For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.
-
We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
-
Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.
🌿 Important Shipping Information
Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.
-
Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.
-
Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.
-
Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
-
Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better
Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants
1. Understanding of Shipping Stress
By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.
2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage
Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations
Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.
4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule
Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.
5.Extreme Weather Conditions
Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.
6. No Refund Policy
Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.
7. Responsibility of Care
Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.
8. Consent
By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.
These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.
