Cicer arietinum
chickpea
More commonly known as the Chickpea, this annual legume has small, green feathery leaves either side of the stem and produces fat green seedpods containing two or three peas to each pod in spring or early summer. Crops are usually ready for picking around 100 days after sowing. Sweetpea-like flowers appear in summer in shades of pink, white or purple
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Purple White | Green | Green Brown | |
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Climbing
- Genus
A genus of around 43 species of perennial and annual legumes, including chickpea. The green, toothed foliage is divided with alternate leaflets, and flowers are blue-purple to white
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, loamy, well-drained soil in full sun. Although plants can be grown in partial shade, yield will be reduced. Feed regularly with a high potassium and phosphorus feed throughout the growing season
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, bean beetles, flea beetles, leaf hoppers and mites
Diseases
May be susceptible to anthracnose, blight and mosaic virus
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