Peanut Seeds

Peanut / Groundnut — Arachis hypogaea

With the Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) you grow one of the most fascinating crops yourself. Peanuts ripen UNDER the soil — the flower buries itself after pollination. Botanically a legume, not a nut. 30-50 peanuts per plant possible. Fascinating for children and school gardens.

What's in the box

• 8 seeds Arachis hypogaea — tested for germination
• Illustrated growing guide in 8 languages (on the seed card)
• Minimum shelf life: 2 years from packaging date

Growing in brief

• Prep: soak seeds 24 h in lukewarm water
• Sowing: in loose, moist seed compost
• Temperature: 22-25 °C
• Germination: 1-2 weeks

Position & care in detail

• Light: full sun, sheltered
• Humidity: moderate
• Substrate: loose, sandy — sand, houseplant compost, garden compost (1:1:1)
• Watering: regular, keep dry before harvest
• Feeding: barely needed — fixes its own nitrogen (rhizobia)
• Wintering: Frost-tender — minimum 8 °C

Sowing date & timeline

The ideal sowing date depends on the plant type.

Indoors sowing is possible year-round if heat mat and grow light are available. January to April is optimal: after germination the seedling can grow vigorously through spring/summer before light declines in autumn.

Directly outdoors only for frost-hardy species and after mid-May. Frost-tender species should first be raised in pots indoors, then hardened off after mid-May before being placed outdoors.

Pot choice & transplanting

Pot size and transplanting evolve with the plant:

• Sowing: 6×6 cm seed tray per seed or tray pots. Use low-nutrient seed compost.
• Seedling: prick out at 2-3 true leaves into a 9 cm pot with nutrient-rich compost.
• Established: repot every 1-2 years into a pot 2-3 cm larger. Mature plants need 5-30 L pot volume depending on the species.

Tips & tricks

• Use a heat mat: bottom heat at 25 °C speeds germination by weeks
• Mini greenhouse: cover seed tray with a transparent lid or cling film — keeps humidity high
• Prefer fresh seed: the fresher the seed, the higher the germination rate — sow soon after delivery
• Deep pot (min. 30 cm) or bed — pods need downward room
• Outdoors in full sun during summer
• Lift peanuts 1-2 weeks before harvest and dry

Good to know

• Native range: South America (Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay)
• Height: 0.6 m, in a pot 0.3-0.5 m
• Peanuts ripen UNDER the soil — flower buries itself after pollination
• Botanically a legume, not a nut
• Annual plant — sow April, harvest September
• 30-50 peanuts per plant possible

Seed storage

Unopened or leftover Saflax seeds keep for 2 years if stored correctly. Keep dry, cool (vegetable drawer in fridge) and in the original packaging — moisture drastically reduces germination. Test germinability before each sowing: 5 seeds on moist kitchen paper in a covered plastic dish at 22-25 °C — if 4-5 germinate, the rest are reliable.

FAQs

How long does germination take?
Typically 1-2 at 22-25 °C. Bottom heat (heat mat) shortens germination significantly, often by half.

Can it grow outdoors?
In summer yes, in a sheltered, semi-shaded position. Bring indoors before first frost, min. 8 °C in winter.

How fast does it grow?
Slow in the first year (establishment phase), then notably faster from year two with optimal care and the right position.

Do I need special tools?
A simple seed tray, compost and a bright position are enough. A heat mat (~CHF 30) and a mini greenhouse noticeably improve germination but are not mandatory.

What if seeds don't germinate?
Patience — many exotic species take 4-12 weeks. Check temperature (heat mat!), substrate moisture (evenly moist, never wet) and whether the seeds require stratification or scarification. Saflax seeds are tested for germination before dispatch.

Do peanuts really grow underground?
Yes! After pollination the stems grow downward and pods ripen 5-10 cm deep. Fascinating for children.

Can I eat the harvest?
Yes — dry harvested peanuts, then roast and shell. Saflax seed is organic and edible after ripening.

How best to store leftover seeds?
In the sealed original packet, dry and cool (vegetable drawer of fridge at 4-8 °C). Germinability is preserved through the full 2-year shelf life. Reseal immediately after opening and acclimatise to room temperature before sowing.