Cicer

( SYE - sir )

At-A-Glance Information

Cicer, a genus that includes the famous Chickpea, is native to the Middle East and Asia. The plants formed by this genus are upright with a somewhat weeping habit, and have green leaves and stems. Flowers are sweet-pea shaped, and can vary in color, though are typically white or light pink. The fruits are categorized as beans, and are one of the most popular vegetarian foods on the planet. Cicer plants are great for pollinators and are commonly grown as members of edible or vegetable gardens.

Cicer Species and Varietals

The genus Cicer is a member of the plant family Fabaceae, and includes around 460 species. Only one species in the genus is widely cultivated for its edible fruits (Cicer arietinum). The best growing zones for Cicer are Sunset zones A1, A2, and 1-22 or USDA zones 3-9. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Cicer arietinum (Chickpea, Garbanzo Bean, Egyptian Pea, Bengal Gram, Channa, Gram)
This is the most commonly cultivated species in the Cicer genus, and is used in many cuisines around the world. Most of the world's Chickpea crop (around 75%) is grown in India. Plants reach between 18 and 20 inches tall at maturity. These plants are not commonly grown in home gardens, due to their relatively low yield. Between 4 and 8 plants is required to feed one person. There are a few main varieties of Chickpeas, including 'Desi' and 'Kabuli', and 'Ceci Neri' (a type which produces blackish fruits).

Caring for Cicer

Cicer, or Chickpea, plants are typically grown from seed, though they are sometimes available from specialty nurseries from time to time. Ensure that soil has warmed up to at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit before sowing. They are cold-season crops, growing best when temperatures range from 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 64-70 degrees Fahrenheit overnight. Space plants 4-6 inches apart for best coverage and airflow. They tend to flop over, and planting them tight will allow them to support each other as they grow. These plants are best when grown in full sun; ideally, between 6 and 8 hours is best. If you are in a particularly hot region, Cicer plants will need some later afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak (typically between 2 and 3 PM). Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.3 and 7.0 (acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants will need regular waterings, especially during their active growth, blooming, and fruiting periods in spring and summer. They will need about an inch of water each week; as a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top two inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Chickpeas are nitrogen-fixing plants and do not need much in the way of additional fertilizers during the growing season. If they are being cultivated in particularly poor soil, they may benefit from a feeding with an inch or two of well-decomposed compost around the base of plants in late springtime. To apply compost, pull back mulch, lay the compost down, and then gently work it into the soil using a rake or similar tool. Then, water it in and reapply mulch. Pruning is not necessary, but if plants are looking scraggly then dead, damaged or diseased foliage can be cut back at any time during the growing season. Cicer plants are annuals, and are typically composted after harvesting and replanted via seed in the next growing season.

Harvesting Cicer
Cicer, or Chickpea plants, are grown over a long season from spring through fall, when they are harvested for their edible beans. The pods can be harvested one by one when they are still small and green, and are prepared like snap beans, though the most common way to harvest them is all at once. They are ready between 85 and 100 days after planting, and are harvested after the leaves on the plants wither and dry up. The entire plant is then pulled from the ground, roots and all. Place the plant in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area and allow the plant to dry out until the pods begin to split and the beans inside are visible. Then, remove the seeds from their pods. Any pods that have brown spots and are wilting should be tossed. Before being stored, Chickpeas should be treated to kill any insects and their eggs. Place the chickpeas in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the over at 160 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. They can also be placed in a freezer bag and left for at least 48 hours. After treatment, the Chickpeas can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Cicer, or Chickpea, plants can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To propagate your Chickpea plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Cicer by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Alternatively, Cicer seeds can be sown directly into the garden soil once soil temperatures consistently remain above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Space seeds 4-6 inches apart for best coverage and airflow.