- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
- Learn More
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 62–90 days
Family: Fabaceae
Type: Shelling Bean (Learn More)
Native: Africa
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 24" tall, bushy plants
Variety Info: Cylindrical, 6" long pods produced on crown of plant. Medium to large cream-colored seed with a red or maroon "eye".
Attributes: Frost Sensitive
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 65°F, ideally 70°–85°F. Successive Sowings: Every 7 to 14 days up to 80 days before your average first fall frost date. NOTE: In very hot summer areas, skip sowing as high heat approaches; temperatures consistently above 90°F will prevent beans from forming.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended; bean seedlings are sensitive to root disturbance.
Days to Emerge: 6–12 days
Seed Depth: 1"
Seed Spacing: 1 seed every 3"–4"
Row Spacing: 24"–36"
Thinning: Not requried
Your hardiness zone is
Growing Info
Harvesting: For fresh, tasty cowpeas, shell seeds or enjoy in pod about 60 days after sowing, when peas just start to swell in the pod; seeds will be developed but not hard at this point. For dried beans, wait until the pods are dry and straw-colored to harvest. Young foliage is also edible and enjoyed like spinach. At season's end, plants are great compost material if they are disease-free.
- WendyVerified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars9/9/25Tasty beans, green or dried
I bought these last year and had enough seed to use again this spring. A neighbor's kid loves to come over and pick and shell the dried peas. I've cooked them green and they're really good with a nutty taste. I prefer them cooked after having dried, more like black-eyed peas. Super easy to grow. You can pick early or let them dry on the vine for later (much easier to harvest). Either way, these are terrific, no-fuss peas.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests9/12/25Hey Wendy,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with our Pinkeye Purple Hull Bush Cowpea Bean Seeds! We absolutely love hearing how versatile these beans are for you - being able to enjoy them fresh and green with that delicious nutty flavor, or letting them dry on the vine for that classic black-eyed pea experience later on.
What a sweet bonus that your neighbor's kid has discovered the joy of picking and shelling the dried peas! There's something so special about getting children involved in the harvest - they always seem to find the magic in these simple garden tasks that we adults sometimes take for granted.
Your tip about the flexibility of harvest timing is spot-on - being able to pick early when you want fresh beans or just let them do their thing on the vine for easier dried harvesting later really makes these such a no-fuss addition to any garden. That's exactly the kind of easy-growing, versatile crop that keeps gardeners coming back year after year!
Keep on growing 🌻️
- Holly C.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars8/15/25Black Eyed Peas Galore!
This is a very productive plant! It will keep growing and producing. Like others mentioned, it grows so much that it develops vine-like behavior. I'm glad I trellised it! I've been picking the pods to eat the beans fresh, and they are incredibly tasty as well! The third pic is from my first harvest - nearly half a pound of pods from a 4 sq ft space!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests8/15/25Hey Holly,
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing experience with our Pinkeye Purple Hull Bush Cowpea Bean Seeds! We're so happy to hear about that incredible productivity - nearly half a pound from just 4 square feet is impressive. You're so smart to have trellised them - many growers are surprised by just how vigorous and vine-like these "bush" beans can get when they're really thriving. It sounds like you've got a continuous harvest ahead of you with more pods coming. Your success story just makes our day! Keep on growing 🌻️
- VicVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars4/18/255 Stars
Beautiful artwork on the packet with tons of easy to understand information. Looking forward to seeing them grow.
- VicRated 5 out of 5 stars4/18/255 Stars
Beautiful artwork on the packet with tons of easy to understand information. Looking forward to seeing them grow.
- DerekRated 5 out of 5 stars3/2/255 Stars
Awesome seeds