How to Grow a Peanut Plant From Seed

Check the growing season of your location. Peanuts will require an unusually long growing season of 130 to 140 days if you plant them outside. You can also plant the seeds indoors if you have a shorter growing season.

Prepare the soil. Peanuts prefer a light sandy soil with a lot of compost and manure. Loosen the soil to a depth of several inches deep and ensure that it will drain well. You may need to create elevated rows to ensure adequate drainage.

Obtain the peanut seeds. Make sure they are raw peanuts if you buy them from the grocer. Peanut seeds are also available from seed stores if you're interested in a particular strain.

Plant the peanut seeds. Put them in individual pots two to four weeks before the last expected frost if you're planting them indoors. Plant the peanuts after the last expected frost if you're planting them outdoors. Sow the seeds 1 to 2 inches deep and space them 6 to 7 inches apart. The rows should be 3 feet apart.

Keep the soil moist without over watering the peanut plants. This can be challenging as the sandy soil will dry out quickly. Cover to protect them from frost, if needed. You can harvest the peanuts after the first frost. Pull the plant out by the roots and allow the peanuts to dry naturally.