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🌿 Pigeon Pea ‘Otini Fifin’ (Cajanus cajan) — Nitrogen-Fixing Powerhouse & Edible Soil Builder
Transform your landscape with this multi-talented performer! Pigeon Pea ‘Otini Fifin’ (Cajanus cajan) is one of the most useful plants you can grow — a resilient, edible, nitrogen-fixing shrub that feeds your soil, your fruit trees, and your kitchen. Perfect for Florida, the Gulf Coast, and subtropical regions across the Southeast.
🌿 QUICK FACTS
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Cajanus cajan (‘Otini Fifin’) |
| Plant Type | Nitrogen-fixing legume shrub (short-lived perennial) |
| Size at Sale | Ships in 4” pot |
| Age at Sale | ~8–16 weeks old |
| Mature Height | 6–12 ft unpruned / 3–6 ft pruned |
| Mature Width | 4–8 ft spread |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 (annual in 8B) |
| Sunlight | Full sun (6–8+ hrs daily) |
| Cold Hardiness | Down to ~28°F (protect from frost) |
| Growth Habit | Fast-growing, upright shrub with deep roots |
| Spacing | 5–8 ft apart for guilds or hedges |
| Soil Preference | Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil |
| Water Needs | Moderate once established (low after rooting in) |
🍈 EDIBLE PODS & FLAVOR
- Flavor: Mild and nutty, with a satisfying texture that fits perfectly in soups, stews, curries, and rice dishes.
- Pod Size: 2–3" pods containing 3–6 peas.
- Harvest Season: In Florida, expect pods from late fall through early winter (October–December).
- Productivity: Highly prolific once mature — keep pods picked to encourage continual flowering and fruiting.
🌱 TOP BENEFITS
- Nitrogen-Fixing Power: Adds natural nitrogen to your soil through beneficial root nodules — no fertilizer needed.
- Soil Regenerator: Breaks up compaction and improves aeration with its deep taproot.
- Chop-and-Drop Biomass: Produces lush green material for mulch and soil-building.
- Pollinator Attraction: Its yellow blooms draw bees and beneficial insects.
- Edible & Useful: Dual-purpose plant — nutritious food and living fertilizer.
- Drought-Tolerant: Thrives in sandy soils and low-water conditions once established.
🌾 WHY NITROGEN FIXATION MATTERS
Pigeon Peas naturally team up with root-dwelling bacteria that capture nitrogen from the air and store it in the soil — feeding not just the pea itself, but surrounding plants.
How to use that nitrogen effectively:
- Plant near fruit trees — it shares nitrogen with the soil and shades young trees from intense sun.
- Prune regularly and leave the trimmings as mulch (“chop and drop”).
- Renew every few years — older pigeon peas get woody, so replant new ones for maximum nitrogen output.
Grow it once, and it keeps on giving.
🌿 BEST PRACTICES FOR PLANTING & CARE
🌱 For 4” Starter Plants
Pigeon peas do best when planted young directly in the ground. Their taproot develops early and dislikes confinement — so skip upsizing unless you plan to keep them as container specimens long-term.
Step-by-Step Planting (GreenDreams “High & Tight” Method):
- Choose a sunny, well-drained spot with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
- Dig a hole just slightly wider than the pot and the same depth.
- Gently remove the plant from the container, keeping the root ball intact.
- Set it so the base of the stem sits level with or slightly above the soil surface.
- Backfill firmly with native soil mixed with compost (no fertilizer needed).
- Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
- Apply a 2–3” layer of mulch around the base, keeping mulch away from the stem.
🌞 Watering
- Establishment phase (first 2–3 weeks): Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
- Once established: Water 2–3 times per week during dry spells. Reduce as roots deepen.
- Container plants: Check daily during hot weather. Drainage is essential.
🌿 Pruning & Maintenance
- Lightly tip-prune once the plant reaches 2–3 ft tall to encourage a bushy shape.
- Periodically cut back older stems to refresh growth and increase nitrogen turnover.
- Use trimmings as mulch or compost material — your soil will thank you!
❄️ Winter Care in Florida
- In Zones 9–10: Stays evergreen or semi-evergreen through mild winters.
- In Zone 8B: May drop leaves or die back in frost but often resprouts from the base.
- Protect with mulch or a light frost cover during cold snaps below 30°F.
🪴 CONTAINER GROWING
- Pigeon Peas can live happily in containers only if you plan to keep them there.
- Start with a minimum 12" pot (3–5 gal) and move up to 10–15 gal for long-term growth.
- Keep in full sun, and ensure excellent drainage.
- No fertilizer needed — just compost or mulch topdressing seasonally.
⚠️ CAUTIONS
- Sensitive to prolonged wet roots — ensure good drainage.
- May drop leaves briefly in response to cool weather or transplant shock — this is normal.
- Replace every 2–4 years to maintain top nitrogen production and pod yield.
🌿 IS THIS PLANT RIGHT FOR YOU?
✅ Ideal For:
- Florida and Gulf Coast gardeners (Zones 9–11)
- Fruit tree guilds and food forest builders
- Regenerative growers and permaculture enthusiasts
- Gardeners seeking a “no-fertilizer” plant that feeds itself and the soil
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Heavy clay or poorly drained soils
- Tight spaces where pruning is inconvenient
- Areas with frequent hard freezes without protection
🌺 COMPANION PLANTING
Pair your Pigeon Peas with:
- Fruit Trees: Mango, Avocado, Citrus, Annonas
- Biomass Plants: Mexican Sunflower, Vetiver, Lemongrass
- Groundcovers: Perennial Peanut, Sweet Potato, Comfrey
- Pollinators: Porterweed, African Blue Basil, Starflower
Together, they form the foundation of a thriving food forest ecosystem!
🔍 TROUBLESHOOTING
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowing leaves | Natural aging or minor transplant stress | Trim old leaves; maintain moisture and mulch |
| Wilting in heat | Insufficient water or shallow roots | Deep water 2–3x per week; add mulch |
| Leaf spots | High humidity or splash | Increase airflow, water at base only |
| Chewed foliage | Caterpillars or beetles | Use neem or BT; encourage beneficial insects |
| Frost burn | Cold exposure | Mulch base, prune damaged stems in spring |
🧑🍳 CULINARY INSPIRATION
- Caribbean: Arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas)
- India: Toor dal (split pigeon pea soup)
- Africa: Cooked green peas as side dish or stew base
These humble peas carry centuries of flavor and tradition — and now, you can grow them right in your own garden.
🚚 SHIPPING DETAILS (4" size)
- Best regions to ship: Florida, the Southeastern US, and Texas.
- Caution for northern or western states: 4" plants are delicate; recovery may take 2–3 weeks. Provide filtered light and steady moisture after arrival.
- Shipping schedule: UPS Ground every Monday.
- Extreme weather disclaimer: Buyer discretion during peak heat or cold. GreenDreams is not responsible for weather-related damage in transit.
🏪 LOCAL PICKUP
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM
Stop by and explore our full collection of edible and ecological plants! 🌿
🌿 BEYOND THE PLANT: GREEN DREAMS SERVICES
We don’t just grow plants — we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.
- Edible landscape design & onsite consultations
- Full installation & food forest builds
- Bulk delivery: compost, mulch, biochar & soil blends
- Wholesale & large-scale regenerative supply
Let our team help you create your own thriving edible paradise — starting with Pigeon Pea ‘Otini Fifin’.
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.
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For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
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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.
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We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
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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.
