Cowpea

Vigna unguiculata

Layer 7 · Climbers
Edible companion

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Native to sub-Saharan Africa, the black-eyed pea is an annual legume adapted to warm climates. It produces edible pods and seeds rich in protein while fixing nitrogen in the soil. It is perfect for summer companion planting in the kitchen garden or food forest.

It is harvested now — September is one of the harvest months.

See which trees cowpea grows well with

These trees share this species' soil and climate — the pairing is inferred from conditions, not from a guild we have already seen.

Cork oak

No account needed.

Needs

Water: Medium
Light: Full sun
Size: Herbaceous annual up to 80 cm
Mature diameter: 0.6 m
Soils: Clay, Loam, Sandy
Climates: Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean

Calendar

January
February
March
April — Planting
May — Planting
June — Planting
July — Harvest
August — Harvest
September — Harvest
October — Harvest
November
December

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: Its pods and beans are highly nutritious and consumed cooked in a variety of dishes.

Where to buy

Central trees worth considering

May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.

Cork oak

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.