Perennial Peanut

Overview

Perennial peanut forms a dense, low mat of small leaves and bright yellow flowers. It fixes nitrogen, tolerates foot traffic and mowing, and stays put better than many ground covers. It is grown for the soil, not for nuts.

History

Perennial peanut comes from Brazil and is used across the tropics as a living mulch in orchards and as forage.

Growing on Kauaʻi

• Grows in sun or partial shade with regular rain or watering.
• Handles many soils; slow to establish in very dry sites.

Planting and propagation

• Plant rooted runners or cuttings about 8–12 inches apart into moist soil.
• Mulch between plants until they knit together.

Care and maintenance

• Weed until it forms a solid mat, often a few months.
• Mow or trim occasionally to keep it tidy.

Role in the guild

Use it as living mulch between trees and along paths, in place of grass.

Harvest

There is little to harvest; trim it occasionally and leave the clippings as mulch.

Uses

• Soil: nitrogen fixation and permanent ground cover.
• Paths: walkable green cover.
• Bees: flowers feed pollinators.
• Animal feed: good forage for rabbits and other livestock.

Problems to watch

• Slow to fill in during dry spells.
• Can creep into beds; edge it if needed.

General guidance for Kauaʻi; conditions vary by site. Check any new plant at plantpono.org before planting.