Also known as Bengal Gram · Bush Garbanzo Bean · Channa
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is a nutritious legume, widely cultivated for its edible seeds. It's a staple in many cuisines globally, offering a source of protein and fiber
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Chickpeas require at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and pod development.
Moderate to High during vegetative and flowering, then reduced
75% intensity
Keep soil consistently moist until pod formation, then allow to dry slightly.
Well-drained, sandy loam
50% intensity
Warm
75% intensity
Prefers warm temperatures, with ideal growth occurring between 18-25°C. Sensitive to frost.
Low Nitrogen
25% intensity
Legumes fix their own nitrogen. Use a balanced fertilizer sparingly if soil is poor, avoiding high nitrogen.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Chickpeas prefer consistently moist soil during their vegetative growth and flowering. Once pods begin to form, reduce watering to prevent root rot and encourage ripening.
Ensure good drainage to avoid waterlogged conditions, which are detrimental to the plant's health and yield.
Pruning is generally not necessary for chickpeas, as they grow as relatively compact bushy plants.
However, if plants become leggy or overcrowded, light pruning can improve air circulation and encourage bushier growth, potentially leading to a better yield. Remove any diseased or damaged foliage promptly.
Chickpeas are best propagated by direct sowing seeds into the garden after the last frost. Seeds should be planted about 2-5 cm deep and 10-20 cm apart.
Ensure the soil is warm enough for germination, typically above 10°C. No special propagation techniques are usually required.
Repotting is not applicable to chickpeas as they are typically grown as annual field crops or in large containers for a single season. They are directly sown outdoors and harvested.
If grown in containers, they are usually not repotted but rather the entire plant is harvested.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
8 known issues from plant disease data
Bacterial blight on Chickpea causes small water-soaked spots on leaves, pods, and stems that turn brown, merge, and may girdle stems.
Phoma blight on Chickpea causes foot rot and black stem lesions, often below the soil surface, leading to weak damaged plants.
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Cicer |
| Species | Cicer arietinum |
Similar in genus Cicer
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
