Cowpea
Vigna unguiculata
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Sep 23, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Cowpea
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a warm-season legume native to sub-Saharan Africa, producing long pods filled with nutritious seeds in colors ranging from white and cream to black-eyed and speckled types. It grows as a bushy or vining annual and is a classic vegetable garden crop well adapted to heat and humidity. Starting at $2.29.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- Flower Color
- White, Purple
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Annual
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Bloom season. Handles summer heat well once established.
Foliage may begin to change or drop.
Dormant — drops foliage.
Care essentials
Plant in full sun; cowpeas are one of Florida's most heat-tolerant warm-season vegetables and thrive in NE Florida's long, hot summers with full direct sun.
Drought-tolerant once established; needs adequate moisture during germination and pod fill but handles dry spells well. In NE Florida, rainfall is usually sufficient after establishment — mulch to conserve moisture.
Thrives in the sandy, well-drained soils common in NE Florida. As a legume it fixes its own nitrogen; avoid heavy nitrogen fertilization which promotes foliage over pods. Sow directly after last frost (around March in zone 9b) or again in late summer for a fall crop.
Similar needs
Bitter Sneezeweed
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Camphor Daisy
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Dahlberg Daisy
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Gomphrena
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Purslane
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Strawflower
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
You may also like
Common questions
Is Cowpea a good plant for St. Augustine?
Cowpea is a annual for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 1-3 feet × 2-3 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.