Peanut in Zone 11a & 11b
Arachis hypogaea
Yes, peanut grows in zones 11a and 11b. Plant it outside Jan 8–Jan 15.
When to plant peanut in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 8–Jan 15 |
| Estimated harvest | May 18–May 25 (~130 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 11b
These go outside within two weeks of peanut in zone 11b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Luffa GourdJan 8–Jan 15
- Malabar SpinachJan 8–Jan 15
- AchiraJan 15–Jan 22
- Birdhouse GourdJan 15–Jan 22
- Bok ChoyJan 1–Jan 8
- CucamelonJan 15–Jan 22

Peanuts are the strangest thing in most vegetable gardens. They flower above ground, self-pollinate, and then the fertilised flower sends a stalk called a peg downward, which pushes into the soil and forms the pod underground. Nothing else in the bed does this, and it explains most of what peanuts need from you.
How peanut fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Peanut planting windows in every zone
Zone 11b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Aug 25–Sep 1 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Aug 9–Aug 16 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Jul 2–Jul 9 |
| 10a & 10bSpring window | Not usually | Mar–Apr | ~130 days after direct-sowing |
| 11a & 11b (your zone) | Not usually | Jan 8–Jan 15 | May 18–May 25 |
Harvest dates are about 130 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
No well-established companions for peanut.
Where to buy peanut seeds
Burpee (each supplier's peanut seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing peanut" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Peanut in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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