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Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), Annual

Varieties We Bring In

California Blackeye No. 5Vigna unguiculataQueen AnneVigna unguiculataNoodle KingVigna unguiculata
Sizes & Pricing
1 galFrom$7.95
From$2.29
Seed PackFrom$2.99

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.

LightFull Sun
WaterLow
Mature size1-3 feet × 2-3 feet

Pet toxicity: not on file, check before planting where pets chew

Pet safety guide

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.

Plant details

Bloom Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Flower Color
White, Purple
Growth Rate
Fast
Foliage
Annual
Soil
Sandy, Loam, Well-drained

Best planting months

Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL

Recommended months: March, April, May.

January, other month
February, other month
March, good window
April, good window
May, good window
June, other month
July, other month
August, other month
September, other month
October, other month
November, other month, this month
December, other month
This monthGood windowOther months

Seasonal care

Bloom season. New foliage emerges. Good planting window.

Care essentials

Light

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.

Water

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.

Soil & Fertilizer

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

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Common questions

Is Cowpea a good plant for St. Augustine?

Cowpea is an annual. Mature size: 1-3 feet × 2-3 feet. Light: Full Sun. Water needs: Low. Recorded hardiness zone: 9a.

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.