Winged Bean — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Psophocarpus tetragonolobus |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 7–14 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 21.1–29.4 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 60–90 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 30.5–45.7 |
| Mature height (cm) | 182.9–365.8 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 30.5–61 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 10–12 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Scarify or soak seeds 12–24 hours before sowing 1 inch deep in warm, well-drained, low-fertility soil; inoculate with cowpea rhizobium to promote nitrogen fixation. Provide a sturdy trellis or fence at least 6 feet tall as soon as plants emerge, as vines climb rapidly and are very productive when vertical. Virtually every part of the winged bean is edible — harvest young pods at 3–4 inches with frilly wings still tender, leaves and shoot tips as greens, flowers as a colorful salad garnish, and mature dried seeds as high-protein pulses. In the tropics, tuberous roots also form and can be harvested and eaten like yam.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0