What hardiness zones is Vigna unguiculata 'California Blackeye' suitable for?

Vigna unguiculata 'California Blackeye' (California Blackeye No. 5) is a warm-season annual reaching 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall with a spread of 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) and a semi-upright, bushy habit. An American cultivar developed at UC Davis, it produces slender green pods 7-9 inches (18-23 cm) long containing 10-13 medium-sized, kidney-shaped, cream-white beans with a distinctive black eye (hilum) at the attachment point. The standard commercial blackeye pea and the type most commonly sold dried. Days to maturity 65-80 from direct sow for green shell, 80-100 for dry beans. Growth rate is fast. Heat-tolerant—thrives at 85-95°F (29-35°C) where common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) fail. Drought-tolerant once established. Nitrogen-fixing.

Native Range

Vigna unguiculata originated in West Africa. 'California Blackeye' (No. 5) was developed at UC Davis.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens for culinary use—Hoppin' John (traditional New Year's dish), soups, side dishes, green shell, dry beans. Standard commercial blackeye pea. Cream-white with black eye. Bush—no support. UC Davis. Most heat-tolerant bean—thrives where common beans fail. Drought-tolerant. Nitrogen-fixing cover crop. 65-100 days. Not suitable for cool-summer climates—requires sustained heat. Will not germinate in cold soil.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Mississippi Silver' by the bush (versus semi-vining) habit, the black (versus silver-grey) eye marking, the cream-white (versus light tan) base color, and the shorter pods (7-9 versus 8-10 inches). Distinguished from common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) by the heat tolerance (thrives above 85°F where common beans fail), the black eye marking, and the different genus (Vigna versus Phaseolus). California Blackeye—standard commercial, black eye on cream-white, bush, UC Davis, most heat-tolerant bean.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer

Small white to pale lavender papilionaceous flowers from midsummer. Self-pollinating. Each flower produces one pod. Continuous flowering in sustained heat.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale lavender; small papilionaceous; midsummer

Foliage Description

Medium green; trifoliate; on semi-upright bushy stems

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 8-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

65-80 days (green shell); 80-100 days (dry beans)

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow after all frost danger when soil is warm 65-70°F (18-21°C). Full sun, well-drained soil (pH 5.5-7.0). Heat-loving—thrives 85-95°F. Nitrogen-fixing—minimal fertilizer. Drought-tolerant once established. Days to maturity 65-80 for green shell, 80-100 for dry. Harvest green when pods are plump, or allow to dry on vine for storage. Bush habit—no support needed.