Chickpeas are also called garbanzo beans. They are an annual, edible food crop. They like moderate climates such as the Mediterranean.
Plant them in spring after the cold. Avoid freezing or chilling weather. Use a vegetable bed with full sun. Grow near leafy greens, corn, peas, or brassicas as companion plants.
The plant is bushy and grows small seed pods. It needs a long season. Flowers may be white, pink, or purple. Beans turn tan or white when dry.
In North America, plant in summer where it’s warm. Pick pods when green or let them dry. Use them fresh, dried, or for canning.
Chickpeas are rich in protein. They are used in many cuisines. Common in dishes like hummus or with squash and tomatoes. They are nitrogen-fixing, helping the soil. Good for homegrown gardens and larger farms.
| Chickpeas Overview | |
| Common Name | Chickpea, Garbanzo Bean |
| Botanical Name | Cicer arietinum |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Plant Type | Annual, Vegetable |
| Height | 8 to 24 inches |
| Width | 8 to 24 inches |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
| Soil Type | Loamy, Sandy, Well-drained |
| Soil pH | Acidic |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Zones (USDA) | 2–10 |
| Native Area | Asia, Africa, Middle East |
| Flower Color | Blue, Pink, Purple, White |
| Foliage Color | Blue/Green |
| Propagation | Seed |
| Other Names | Gram, Chana, Egyptian Pea, Chole |
Types of Chickpeas You Can Grow
There are two main types of chickpeas: Desi and Kabuli. Each has a unique seed, color, size, and way of growing. Choosing the right type depends on soil, climate, and garden needs.
1. Desi Chickpeas
Desi chickpeas are smaller, darker, and have a thick seed coat. They grow well in places like India, the Middle East, and North Africa, where the soil is often poor.
These plants are usually self-pollinating and adapt to dry areas. The leaves are compact, and the plants stay shorter, making them fit for small spaces.
2. Kabuli Chickpeas
Kabuli chickpeas are larger, lighter, and often found in Latin American, European, and American gardens, including places like Pennsylvania.
Their seeds are usually white, tan, or cream-colored, with a thin coat. Kabuli plants tend to grow taller and may need support. Some plants had soft purple flowers, while others appeared pale.
When and Where to Plant Chickpeas
Chickpea seeds are best planted in early spring. Wait 4–5 weeks before the last frost date. In warm regions, fall planting is also possible.
Chickpeas need full sun and long daylight hours. Choose a sunny spot with warm temperatures and steady soil temperature above 7°C.
Grow in zones with a warm growing season. Use garden soil rich in compost and avoid cold soil or excess moist. These plants need time to reach maturity, especially desi types.
Use direct sowing in beds, or start indoor in biodegradable pots like paper pots to protect from transplanting shock. Place seeds 1–2 inches (or 2.5–5 cm) deep and space them 3 inches apart in rows.
Add an inoculant to help with nitrogen fixation. Keep seeds safe from birds and wet feet, which cause rot or droopy stems. Pick the right sowing method and watch for expected frost before transplant.
Preparing for Planting
Start by choosing a sunny patch with light, loose soil. Avoid compacted areas so roots can grow deep and strong. Mix in aged manure, compost, or green manures to improve the conditions.
Chickpeas need good sunlight, but partial shade works in hot zones.
Soil Preparation
Dig the soil down to about 7-15cm to break up compacted clay. Add composted matter, feather meal, and bone meal to support nitrogen-fixing. These organic materials improve growth and boost nutrient levels.
Planting Depth and Spacing
Plant seeds 1/2 inch to 2 inches deep. Leave 15cm to 45-61cm apart between each. Thin plants to keep 4 inches or 6 inches of space once 3 inches tall. This helps with production and avoids overcrowding.
Watering and Shade Management
Water the patch gently. Keep the soil level moist, not soggy. In hot areas, light shade helps stop cracking in the pods. Use cutaway methods to improve airflow.
Support and Growth Habit
Chickpeas can have a bushing habit or climbing habit. Climbing types like pole beans may need support. For bushing habit, wider beds are better. Observe how they climb or grow tall and guide them as needed.
How to Plant Chickpeas (Step-by-Step)
Chickpeas are easy to grow if you follow a simple process. Use good soil, soak your seeds, and plant after the danger of frost. This method helps beginners grow a healthy chickpea crop even in small spaces like a porch or patio.
| Step | Detail |
| Soak the Seeds | Put chickpea seeds in water for 8–12 hours. This helps crack-seeds and makes them sprout faster. |
| Prepare Pots or Bed | Use biodegradable pots indoors or a planting-bed outside. Fill with compost-amended seed-starting mix that has good drainage. |
| Add Inoculant | Mix inoculant with seeds to help them fix nitrogen and grow stronger. |
| Plant the Seeds | Sow each seed 1–2 inch deep in warm soil above 50°F. Cover gently with soil. |
| Space the Seeds | Keep 6 inches of spacing-distance between seeds. Leave 18–24 inch of spacing-rows to avoid moisture buildup. |
| Choose Location | Pick a sunlight-rich area like a garden, porch, or patio. Use container-growing if space is tight. |
| Add Nutrients | Mix in aged-compost, green-manures, and organic matter. Add extra phosphorus and potassium for better production. |
| Cover the Soil | Use mulch, a sheet, or paper to hold moisture and stop weeds from growing. |
| Thin the Plants | After sprouting, remove weak plants by clipping-weakest ones. This helps strong ones gobble more nutrients. |
| Support Plants | If plants grow upright, add simple hardware. Or let them support-each-other in groups. |
| Watch Watering | Water gently. Too much causes poor drainage and weak growth. Avoid watering leaves. |
| Transplant if Needed | After 4–6 weeks indoors, move plants outside when there’s no danger of frost. |
Caring for Chickpea Plants
Chickpea plants stay healthy when their needs are met from the start. Proper sunlight, balanced soil, and slow watering help them stay strong through the growing season.
Light
Place plants where they get full sun. Avoid shaded spots to support bloom and healthy pod growth. Use open beds for better daily exposure to light.
Soil
Choose loamy soil that drains well. Add organic matter, compost, or aged manure to build a fertile base. Keep the pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for best germination.
Water
Use drip irrigation or slow watering to give about 1 inch water every few days. Keep moisture around 60 to 80 percent. Avoid wetting leaves to prevent fungal problems.
Temperature and Humidity
Chickpeas grow best in temperature between 65°F and 80°F. Protect from frost and keep the air moving to avoid high humidity. Light frost harms the root system, especially in autumn.
Fertilizer
Use fertilizer with phosphorus, potassium, and micro nutrients. Add nutrients at the soil line as a side dress. These nitrogen-fixing legumes improve N-poor soil without heavy feeding.
Pollination
Chickpeas naturally self pollinate, even in cool weather. Steady sunlight helps pod development. A round bed helps with air circulation and better access to sun.
Harvesting Chickpeas
Growing chickpeas needs warm garden soil with good drainage holes in the container. Start planting during planting time in a dry place. Use low-nitrogen fertilizer for better results.
Keep seeds stored in cool and dry conditions before planting. In late summer, look for signs to begin harvesting. When pods feel brittle, crack, and show visible seeds, they are ready.
Leaves will wither and stems may turn brown. Pick green pods early for snap beans. On windy days, use a box fan in the garage to dry harvested pods.
Harvesting Method
Spread dry pods on a flat surface like a shelf. Use hands to rub, crack, and shell the pods. A soft rattle means seeds inside are ready. Powdery shells fall off when fully dried. Place chickpeas in an airtight jar once cooled.
Use a pan and hot oven at 160°F for faster drying. After 48 hours, they feel firm and plumpest. If soft, let them air dry longer.
For cooking, rinse in cold water, then boil or bake. Try salted water for better flavor or blend into hummus. Use immature pods in stews or soup.
Split pods, cracked ones, or flat seeds go to compost. Save strong dried seeds for next planting period. Pick pods before they split fully. Draining, ventilation, and cooling method help in long seed preservation.
How to Grow Chickpeas in Pots or Containers
Use container-growing when garden space is limited. Choose a 3-inch to 8-inch container with holes to allow proper drainage.
A shallow pot works because chickpeas don’t need deep soil. For poor soil, mix in organic matter to improve the growing condition.
Start by filling the pot with a well-draining mix. Avoid high-nitrogen soil. Instead, use low-nitrogen fertilizer before planting. Sow four seeds per square foot and leave about a 3-inch gap between them. Cover lightly with soil, keeping it thin.
Water gently once or monthly. Do not overwater, as it blocks drainage. Add granular fertilizer every month to feed the plants. As they grow, apply again during flower or pod setting for a better crop.
The plants grow bushy but stay short, which suits containers well. For best use of space, keep one crop per pot. Change the mix after every full cycle to keep it usable. Even with poor soil, you can grow a good crop using this method.
How to Grow Chickpeas from Seeds or Dried Beans
Start chickpeas in pots if frost has not passed. Use moist soil with inoculant like Mesorhizobium ciceri or M. mediterraneum. Plant seeds deeply, about 1 to 2 inches in warm soil. Keep 4 inches apart.
Treat with inoculants to help nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Some companies supply the correct type. Wait for weather above 10 degrees.
Keep soil moist and water evenly. Sprouts appear in 7 to 21 days. Best grown in garden or pots after the danger of frost.
Common Pests and Problems
Growing chickpeas needs careful attention to avoid pests and diseases. Use organic seed, proper spacing, and avoid wet soil to reduce humidity, promote air circulation, and prevent soil-borne issues like pythium, rhizoctonia, and fusarium wilt.
Rotate legume crops and avoid planting near onion, chives, or green onions as poor companion plants.
Common pests include aphids, beetles, and bean beetles that attack leaves and pods, spreading viral infections like mosaic.
These insects jump, feed, and often cause distorted growth. Control with soap sprays, soft hose rinsing, and use of friendly predators. Trap crops like catnip, dill, and broad plants help reduce infestations.
Diseases such as white mold, anthracnose, blast, root rot, and wilt spread through debris, poor watering, and extreme temperature or humidity.
Remove spotted, hairy, or infected growth. Use paper mulch to control malic acid buildup and avoid rough handling that may secrete fluids attracting pests.
Prevent pests that overwinter in wild areas by keeping the garden clean, adjusting circulation, and selecting resistant varieties. This reduces losses caused by bacterial, fungal, and viral problems.
FAQ’s
Q: Can You Grow Chickpeas From Store-Bought Chickpeas?
A: Store-bought chickpeas are usually dry and heat-treated, so planting them in gardens won’t help them grow. For real results, use culinary seeds made for planting, not cooking.
Q: Do Chickpeas Come Back Every Year?
A: Chickpeas are annual plants, which means they die after one season and don’t come back the next year. Since they don’t survive overwintering, saving seeds after harvest is useful for replanting.
Q: How Many Chickpeas Grow On One Plant?
A: One Cicer arietinum plant grows 18 to 24 inches, produces many pods, and each pod has one or two seeds called chickpeas or garbanzo beans.
It grows in cool-season, drought-tolerant regions, and is a widely used cover legume crop for human consumption.
Q: What Is the Best Time to Plant Chickpeas?
A: Chickpea crops grow best with early sowing in May or July. Use well-drained clay loam soil with good water holding capacity.
The pH should be between 6.0 and 9.0, not too alkaline or neutral. Different varieties may vary depending on crops and soil type.
Q: Are Chickpeas Worth Growing?
A: Chickpeas are a useful crop for soil return after harvest. Farmers often raise them before planting other crops.
They’re commonly used for human consumption as healthy beans like garbanzo. To get a good product, focus on maximizing quality through timely planting and care.
