Hog Peanut Plant Care

Hog Peanut (Amphicarpaea bracteata) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Amphicarpaea genus. Hog Peanut is native to woodland, thickets, and moist slopes in eastern North America. Hog Peanut is also known as American Hog Peanut, Ground Bean, Amphicarpaea bracteata var. comosa.

Hog Peanut displays a vining, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Hog Peanut produces small white or pink pea-like flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Hog Peanut every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Hog Peanut thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Amphicarpaea bracteata tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Hog Peanut prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Moist, well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Hog Peanut to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Hog Peanut every 2 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and moist, well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Hog Peanut is suited to USDA Zone 3a – 9b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Hog Peanut can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Hog Peanut while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Hog Peanut is hardy down to USDA zone 3a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Hog Peanut can be propagated through seeds.

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Hog Peanut is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Hog Peanut grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Hog Peanut is native to woodland, thickets, and moist slopes in eastern North America.