Pigeon Pea Plant Care

Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Cajanus genus. Pigeon Pea is native to the Eastern Hemisphere. Pigeon Pea is also known as Toor Dal, Arhar, Gungo Pea.

Pigeon Pea displays a tall, upright shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Pigeon Pea produces showy yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Pigeon Pea 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.

Pigeon Pea thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cajanus cajan tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Pigeon Pea prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Pigeon Pea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Pigeon Pea every 6 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Pigeon Pea is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 13.

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.

Pigeon Pea can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 Pigeon Pea 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.

Pigeon Pea is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Pigeon Pea can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to scarabaeoid pigeon pea plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Pigeon Pea is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, whiteflies. 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.

Pigeon Pea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 13. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Pigeon Pea is native to the Eastern Hemisphere. In cooler regions, grow Pigeon Pea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.