How to Grow Southern Peas in Containers: Tips for Small-Space Gardens

Southern peas—also called cowpeas, field peas, or black-eyed peas—are one of the easiest warm-season legumes to grow, and they adapt surprisingly well to containers. I’ve grown them in raised beds, half-barrels, and even 5-gallon nursery pots when space was tight. As long as they get heat, sun, and a loose, well-drained growing mix, they’ll reward you with pods all summer long.

Below is everything you need to know to grow productive southern peas in containers, with practical tips pulled directly from my own experience gardening in hot, dry California summers.

Table of Contents

Why Grow Southern Peas in Containers?

Container growing is ideal if:

You garden on patios, balconies, or small yards
You want warm-season crops that tolerate heat and drought
Your native soil is heavy clay (as mine was in the Central Valley)
You want to control moisture more precisely to prevent stress

Southern peas thrive in lean soils and tolerate heat better than most beans—perfect traits for containers.

Best Container Size for Southern Peas

From my years of trialing legumes in pots, here’s what works best:

Bush Types

Container size: 3–5 gallons
Minimum depth: 10–12 inches
Spacing: 4–6 plants per 5-gallon container

Vining Types

Container size: 7–10 gallons
Minimum depth: 12–14 inches
Spacing: 3–4 plants per 10-gallon container
Add a small trellis, tomato cage, or bamboo teepee.

EEAT Insight: I’ve found that vining cowpeas climb effortlessly and stay healthier in the hottest weather when given a simple support—even a single bamboo stake makes a difference.

Best Soil Mix for Container Southern Peas

Cowpeas grow well in lean, fast-draining soil. A mix I’ve used for years:

50% high-quality potting mix
25% coarse compost (well-aged; not too rich)
25% perlite or pumice for drainage

Avoid heavy compost or manure blends—southern peas do not like overly rich soil and will produce more foliage than pods.

How to Plant Southern Peas in Containers

Sow directly into containers—cowpeas dislike transplanting.
Plant depth: 1 inch
Spacing: 3–4 inches, thin to final spacing after seedlings emerge
Timing: Sow once nighttime temps stay above 60°F; southern peas love heat.

EEAT Insight: In Sonoma Valley, I plant my container cowpeas in late May or early June for the best heat-driven yields.

Watering Tips for Container Cowpeas

Southern peas are drought-tolerant, but container-grown plants still need consistent moisture.

Water deeply every 2–3 days in early growth.
During peak summer heat, water daily in small pots.
Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings—cowpeas dislike soggy roots.

My experience: Too much water early on leads to weak plants and yellowing. Controlled stress encourages deeper roots and better pod set.

Feeding Southern Peas in Containers

Cowpeas fix their own nitrogen and grow best with minimal feeding.

Do not use high-nitrogen fertilizers.
Add a light application of balanced organic fertilizer (4-4-4 or 5-5-5) at planting.
Optional: Side-dress with compost midseason if growth slows.

Overfeeding leads to lush vines and fewer peas.

Sunlight Requirements

Southern peas need full sun—at least 8 hours daily.

In cooler coastal areas, position containers against a south-facing wall to create more heat. In very hot inland gardens (like my Central Valley childhood garden), some late-afternoon shade prevents stress.

Common Problems in Container Southern Peas

1. Spider Mites

Hot, dry weather encourages them.
Solution: Mist plants lightly every couple days or use insecticidal soap.

2. Poor Pod Production

Usually caused by:

Too much shade
Overly rich soil
Excess nitrogen
Underwatering during flowering

3. Blossom Drop

Occurs in extreme heat (100°F+).
Plants recover once temperatures moderate.

Harvesting Southern Peas in Containers

Pick green snaps (young pods) when plump and tender.
Harvest shelling peas when pods are filled out but still green.
For dry peas, leave pods to fully dry on the vine.

Frequent picking increases production—I make a habit of checking containers every 2–3 days.

Final Thoughts

Southern peas are one of the most forgiving crops you can grow in containers. With heat, sun, and a light, fast-draining mix, you’ll enjoy a steady harvest from midsummer through fall, even in the smallest spaces. My container-grown cowpeas have been some of my most reliable summer legumes—perfect for gardens where space or soil is limited.