Southern Pea Seeds - White Rice
Best heirloom choice for gardeners seeking creamy, easy-to-shell legumes.
Discover the White Rice Southern Pea, a delicate heirloom variety dating before 1860, highly valued for its rich, meaty flavor and smooth, creamy texture. Growing these seeds helps preserve this hard-to-find gem. The plants thrive on a four-foot trellis, producing small beans that shell easily. These seeds are small farm grown, ensuring quality for your garden. Follow planting instructions for best results, ensuring full sun and warm soil temperatures for a successful harvest in about 85 days.
$4.75
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
3
/ 5876
#3 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-55%
Below average
Botanical Name
Vigna unguiculata
/ Vigna unguiculata
Who it's for
- Home cooks seeking authentic Southern flavor and texture
- Gardeners in hot, arid climates with limited water access
- Sustainable growers interested in saving seeds for future harvests
Who should skip it
- Busy growers unable to commit to frequent harvesting schedules
- Gardeners wanting a low-maintenance, pest-free crop
- Urban gardeners with limited space for sprawling plants
Performance breakdown
Heirloom Authenticity
A rare pre-1860 variety that preserves vital agricultural history.
Ease of Shelling
Pods open effortlessly, making harvest prep quick and satisfying.
Flavor Profile
Delivers a rich, meaty taste with a distinctively creamy texture.
Sourcing Integrity
Small-farm production ensures high-quality, carefully handled seeds.
Growth Requirements
Requires specific warm soil and trellis support for optimal success.
Garden Versatility
Strictly an in-ground annual that is not suitable for containers.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Vigna unguiculata
Seed Source
SMALL FARM GROWN by Milkweed Meadows in Hendersonville, NC
Minimum Seeds per Packet
90
Packet Weight
14g
Planting Season
After Last Frost
Sowing Method
Direct Seed
Seed Depth
1-2 inches
Direct Seed Spacing
2-3 inches
Features
- Heirloom variety predating 1860
- Lovely, delicate flavor profile
- Smooth and creamy texture
- Rich, meaty taste, not grainy
- Shells very easily
- Helps ensure survival of rare variety
- Small farm grown seeds
What customers say
Customers highly value these White Rice pea seeds for their exceptional reliability and authentic flavor. Reviewers consistently report near perfect germination, leading to vigorous, healthy growth. The resulting peas deliver the creamy texture and traditional taste long time Southern gardeners seek. Performance in the garden is strong, yielding true to type crops. While specialty seeds may carry a slightly higher initial cost, the superior quality and guaranteed harvest make these an excellent investment. The overall sentiment praises this high performing heirloom seed for delivering a bountiful and flavorful experience.
Know before you buy
Yes, these plants thrive when grown on a four-foot trellis. Providing vertical support helps keep the vines organized and makes harvesting the pods much easier.
These seeds should be direct sown in the spring only after the last frost has passed. Ensure your soil temperature is consistently between 65 and 90 ℉ for optimal germination.
You can expect to harvest your White Rice Southern Peas approximately 85 days after planting. They typically sprout within 7 to 14 days of being sown.
No, these are not recommended for container gardening. They require a trellis and specific spacing, making them better suited for traditional garden beds.
This variety is prized for a rich, meaty flavor that lacks the graininess found in other peas. Once cooked, they offer a smooth, creamy texture that makes them a standout in heirloom dishes.
For the best results, sow the seeds directly into the soil at a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Space them 2 to 3 inches apart to allow the plants enough room to develop.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.