Cowpea – Purple Hull Pinkeye

Description

50 Seeds per pack

Purple Hull Pinkeye – (A.K.A. Pink-Eyed Purple Hull, Pinkeye Purple Hull) – Cowpea

Days to Maturity: 60–70 Days

Sun Requirements: Full sun to very light shade.

Botanical name: (Vigna unguiculata)

Purple Hull Pinkeye is one of the most widely grown cowpeas in the U.S., prized for its consistent yields, heat tolerance, and excellent flavor. A staple in Southern gardens for decades, it remains a go-to choice for dependable summer production.

Plants reach a manageable height of about 2 feet and don’t require staking. They thrive in full sun and hot weather, producing vigorously during the warm season. Well-suited to Southern climates, they are frost-sensitive and perform best when planted after all danger of frost has passed. The pods are a rich purple, 6 to 7 inches long, and filled with pale peas featuring the trademark pink eye. The flavor is nutty and mild—ideal for hearty home-cooked meals and traditional recipes alike.

Often paired with greens, ham hocks, and rice, these peas also shine in classics like Hoppin’ John and adapt beautifully to soups, stews, and curries across African, Indian, and Southern American cuisines. They also dry well for future use. Suitable for canning, freezing, or fresh use, though cooking before eating is recommended.

In the garden, Purple Hull Pinkeye serves multiple roles. As a legume, it naturally adds nitrogen to the soil and helps suppress weeds with its dense growth. While primarily grown for its seeds, the immature pods and leaves are also edible and may be harvested. It can also function as a cover crop—improving soil structure and helping to reduce erosion. Some growers also use it as livestock forage or cut it for hay, making it a great multi-purpose plant.
Packed with vitamins A and C, along with thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, and folate, it’s both a nourishing and versatile choice for growers.

Planting Instructions for Purple Hull Pinkeye Cowpea Seeds

Heirloom / Open Pollinated Purple Hull Pinkeye cowpeas are annual, heat loving, self-supporting vines or bushes. Plant Heirloom / Open Pollinated cowpea seeds outdoors in sandy soil and drought. When soil has warmed, in full sun, 1″ deep, 3″ apart, in rows 2-3′ apart. Germination should occur in 7-10 days in soil 65-85°F. Tolerates drought well, but does best with frequent, even watering. Avoiding water on the leaves if possible, to avoid disease.

Young Purple Hull Pinkeye cowpea leaves are edible, and can be harvested for use in salads and recipes, like spinach. Can also harvest pods for use like green beans. Harvest very young pods before they turn tough and stringy. For dried cowpeas, leave on plants until dry and harvest dried pods.

FAQ: