Perennial Peanut

It seems like Perennial Peanut is popping up everywhere in Central Florida where grass won’t grow. I remember the first time I noticed it in the front yard of a downtown Orlando home. The yard was a sea of little yellow flowers. Now I am seeing it everywhere. It is an easy to grow plant that gets to about 6 inches tall. It needs a sunny location. It will grow in some shade, but not as well as full sun. Perennial Peanut will turn brown in the winter (but so does St. Augustine) and then it will green up in the spring about the same time as grass. The best part is that no insect, disease, or nematode pests have been identified AND it tolerates extended periods of drought! Plus it regulates its own nitrogen so it does not need to be fertilized….added bonus! As with any groundcover, the surrounding areas will need to be weeded until the peanut takes over and fills in.

Perennial Peanut in front of the Publix here in Ocoee.

Dandelion Communitea Cafe in downtown Orlando

Here Perennial Peanut looks like is blending nicely with the grass.

This photo was taken in the community garden area at Dandelion Communitea Cafe. It looks like a blend of some type of grass (or weeds…not sure) and peanut. I think this is a happy combination and a good solution to brown spots in the lawn. I think I will plant small pots of peanut when we start to have brown spots in the yard again next spring. Perennial Peanut does NOT take as much foot traffic as grass does, so planting them together would seem work well. I will let you know and post pictures when I try this.

Perennial Peanut doing great where grass would be difficult to grow.

If you would like to read more about using Perennial Peanut in the landscape…go here. I have seen it at almost every plant nursery I visit lately so it should be easy to find if you would like to try it. If you do, let me know how it works for you!

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Tags: brown patches in yard, brown spots in grass, Grass Alternative, Organic Gardening, perennial peanut

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