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Lablab purpureus (Hyacinth bean)
1 hour care
per year
per year
6m
Max height
Max height
2m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Lablab purpureus
Other names
Hyacinth bean, Lablab, Australian pea, Bonavist, Dolichos bean, Egyptian bean, Egyptian kidney bean, Indian bean, Jack bean, Lubia bean, Seim bean, Dolichos lablab, Dolichos purpureus
Genus
Lablab Lablab
Species
L. purpureus - L. purpureus is a vigorous yet tender, twining, deciduous climber, often grown as an annual, with palmate leaves divided into ovate or triangular, mid- to dark green leaves and short racemes of fragrant, pea-like, purple or white flowers in summer and autumn followed by edible, green seed pods.
Lablab purpureus is: Deciduous
Habit
Climbing
Toxicity
Harmful if eaten.
Flower
Purple, White in Summer; White, Purple in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Whitefly , Scale insects , Glasshouse red spider mite Whitefly , Scale insects , Glasshouse red spider mite
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 11 in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Lablab purpureus (Hyacinth bean) will reach a height of 6m and a spread of 2m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Sub-Tropical, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light. In growth, water freely & feed every 2 weeks until flowering. In frost-free areas or in summer, grow in any well-drained soil in sun. Alternatively, grow in a container and overwinter indoors.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Lablab purpureus
Other names
Hyacinth bean, Lablab, Australian pea, Bonavist, Dolichos bean, Egyptian bean, Egyptian kidney bean, Indian bean, Jack bean, Lubia bean, Seim bean, Dolichos lablab, Dolichos purpureus
Genus
Lablab Lablab
Species
L. purpureus - L. purpureus is a vigorous yet tender, twining, deciduous climber, often grown as an annual, with palmate leaves divided into ovate or triangular, mid- to dark green leaves and short racemes of fragrant, pea-like, purple or white flowers in summer and autumn followed by edible, green seed pods.
Native to
Africa
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing
Toxicity
Harmful if eaten.
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Colour
Flower
Purple, White in Summer; White, Purple in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Whitefly , Scale insects , Glasshouse red spider mite
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 11 in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Lablab purpureus (Hyacinth bean) will reach a height of 6m and a spread of 2m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Sub-Tropical, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light. In growth, water freely & feed every 2 weeks until flowering. In frost-free areas or in summer, grow in any well-drained soil in sun. Alternatively, grow in a container and overwinter indoors.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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