Pigeon Pea Live Plants (Cajanus cajan) | Jamaican Gungo Peas

Grow Caribbean Gungo Peas from Live Starter Plants

Bring a Caribbean kitchen staple to your garden with pigeon pea live plants. Also known as Jamaican Gungo peas, Gandules, and Congo peas, Cajanus cajan grows as a warm-climate shrub and produces pods of peas for cooked rice dishes, stews, and dal-style meals. Start with living plants rather than seeds and enjoy watching your own crop develop.

Plant details

• Botanical name: Cajanus cajan
• Common names: Pigeon pea, Gungo peas, Gandules, Congo peas
• Product supplied: Live starter plants, not seeds
• Growth habit: Shrubby perennial in frost-free climates; grown seasonally where frost occurs
• Light: Full sun
• Typical listed height: Approximately 4–5 feet; mature size varies with conditions
• Harvest: Green shelled peas or mature dried peas for cooking

On arrival

Unpack promptly and check the root-zone moisture. Water gently if needed. Place the plants in a sheltered, bright location while they recover from shipping, then gradually acclimate them to their outdoor planting position.

Planting and care

Plant outdoors after frost risk has passed and soil and weather are warm. Choose full sun and well-draining soil. Set each plant at approximately its existing growing depth and water thoroughly after planting. Allow generous room for the shrub to branch; approximately 5 feet between plants is a practical garden spacing.

Water regularly during establishment. Established pigeon peas can tolerate periods of dry weather, but adequate moisture supports growth and pod development. Avoid waterlogged soil and protect plants from frost. Growing results depend on climate and the length of the warm season.

Harvest and kitchen use

For green peas, pick developed pods while the peas are plump, then shell them. For dried peas, allow pods to mature and dry, then shell and finish drying the peas thoroughly before storage. Cook harvested peas before eating. Try them in Caribbean rice and peas, savory stews, or dal-style dishes.

Choose your plant quantity

Select the available option for 3, 10, or 25 live plants. The selected option determines the number of starter plants supplied.