How to Grow Winged Bean
Psophocarpus tetragonolobus
Winged bean is a tropical climber with distinctive four-ridged pods — every part is edible including flowers, leaves, and tuberous roots. Sow in warm soil (above 18 °C) after all frost risk passes, or start indoors 3 weeks early. Provide sturdy support to 2–2.5 m. It is short-day sensitive, so flowering is triggered by shorter days in late summer. Harvest pods young at 5–10 cm before they toughen. As a legume it fixes nitrogen, so feed lightly.
When to Start
Start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 15°C and soil has warmed to at least 18°C.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Light feed at planting. Avoid high nitrogen — as a legume it fixes its own. A balanced feed once pods begin forming is sufficient.
- A remarkable tropical legume where every part of the plant is edible — pods, flowers, young leaves, shoots, and tuberous roots. The four distinctive winged ridges on the pods make it instantly recognisable. Needs a long, hot, humid season and is strictly short-day, so flowering is triggered by shorter days. Grow as an annual in temperate climates.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 18°C+
- Germination temperature
- 20–32°C
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 60 cm |
| Sow depth | 2.5 cm |
| Mature height | 250 cm |
| Mature spread | 60 cm |
Vigorous climbing vine — provide a sturdy trellis, pole, or fence at least 2 m tall. Space plants 30 cm apart at the base.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 18°C |
| Germination temperature | 20–32°C |
| Base growth temperature | 15°C |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | short day |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Winged Bean?
- Plant Winged Bean 30cm apart with 60cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Winged Bean?
- Winged Bean is ready to harvest approximately 60 days after transplanting.
- Is Winged Bean frost hardy?
- Winged Bean is classified as Tender.
