Bean Seeds - Pole - Purple Moon Hyacinth
90 Days to maturity. Lablab purpureus. Purple Moon Hyacinth Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, pole, snap, Asian, specialty bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Warm-season annual. The Purple Moon Hyacinth Bean is beloved for its stunning purple flowers and deep purple pods, making it as ornamental as it is edible. The combination of beauty and utility is a big reason why gardeners love this plant. This variety is also known for its vigorous growth and ability to tolerate hot, humid, and even dry climates. In addition to its ornamental value, the beans can be harvested when young and tender or allowed to mature for shelling. It can cover a trellis or fence with lush foliage and vibrant blooms, attracting pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. ~77 seeds/oz.
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Growing Purple Moon Hyacinth Beans in the Vegetable Garden
Sow bean seeds directly into the soil after the last frost when soil temperatures are at least 60 F. Plant seeds about 1 inch deep and space them 4-6 inches apart, with rows spaced 36-48 inches apart to allow ample airflow. Since this is a vigorous climbing vine, provide sturdy supports like a trellis, fence, or arbor for the plants to climb. This bean thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Adding organic compost before planting helps improve soil structure and fertility.
Keep the soil moist, especially during flowering and pod development, but avoid waterlogging. While they are drought tolerant once established, they still perform better with consistent moisture. These beans don’t require heavy fertilization due to their nitrogen-fixing properties.
Harvesting Purple Moon Hyacinth Beans
You can harvest these beans in two main ways: as a snap bean (young, tender pods) or as a shelling bean (mature seeds). For snap beans, harvest when the pods are about 3-4 inches long and still tender, typically around 75-90 days after planting. If you’re looking to harvest the mature seeds for shelling, wait until the pods turn dark purple and begin to dry on the vine. Gently clip off the pods at the base of the stem.
For young snap beans, gently snip or twist the pods off the vine to avoid damaging the plant. For mature, dry beans, allow the pods to dry on the vine, then pick and shell them. You can also hang the harvested pods in a well-ventilated area to continue drying before shelling.
About Purple Moon Hyacinth Bean Garden Seeds
Most Oriental gardening books will list these as Lablab Beans. Young pods can be sliced or used whole. Always cook hyacinth beans well before eating. Hyacinth beans naturally have cyanogenic glucoside (a plant compound that contains sugar and produces cyanide). It is toxic to humans and animals.
Hyacinth beans are originally native to Africa but are widely grown throughout Asia. They can also be called bataw, seven sons, bian dou, dau vang, Egyptian bean, fujimame, ho dhambala, kacang kera, kacang koro, kulthi, lablab bean, pin dou, pin tou, bonavist bean, tseuk tau, que dou, rou dou, thua paep, and tseuktau.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"The flowers look like Orchids to me. It is astonishingly beautiful when the flowers and beans cohabitate on the vines. The Purple Moon Hyacinth Bean is indispensable in the ornamental or culinary garden!"
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Purple Moon Hyacinth Bean Seeds Per Package:
- 4 g - Wholesale - Approximately 11 Seeds
- 4 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 308 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 1,232 Seeds
Non-GMO Purple Moon Hyacinth Bean seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Lablab purpureus |
| Bean Sub-Type: | Asian - Asian beans encompass a wide spectrum of bean varieties, either originating from Asia or being especially popular in Asian cultures. Specialty - There are many subcategories of beans, and in the interest of simplifying what would be an overwhelming number of bean varieties, we group them as 'specialty'. These include but are not limited to yardlong beans, winged beans, hyacinth beans, sword beans, asparagus beans, adzuki, mung, garbanzo, and others. |
| Purple Moon Hyacinth Bean Color: | Green, Purple |
| Purple Moon Hyacinth Bean Flavor: | The young pods have a mild, slightly sweet flavor similar to snap beans. Mature beans (if cooked properly) have a nutty taste. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 90 |
| Days to Germination: | 5-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 1 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 4-6 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 36-48 inches |
| Plant Height: | 96-120 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Vining |
| Soil Preference: | Beans prefer well-draining, nutrient-rich, loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. As light feeders and nitrogen-fixing legumes, beans do not require nitrogen-heavy fertilizers. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F). |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | Yes, direct sow when soil temperatures are reliably above 60 F. Planting with an inoculant may increase yields, but is certainly not required for a successful grow. |
| Start Indoors: | Not Recommended. Beans grow best without any root disturbance. We recommend direct sowing instead of transplanting. |
| Bean Pollination: | Beans are self-pollinating as they contain both the male and female parts within their flowers, unlike other fruit and vegetable plants. While they are self-pollinating, having a variety of pollinators and flowers around will improve yields by ensuring the greatest chances for pollinating events to occur. |
| Snap or Shell Bean: | Snap - Snap beans have a fleshy edible pod. Snap beans are also commonly referred to as string beans or green beans (though not all snap beans are green). They are called snap beans because they make a snapping sound when you break them in half. |
| Pole or Bush Bean: | Pole - Pole beans are vining-type plants that put out runners that grow very long or tall. Pole beans are so-called because they require a trellis, support, or wait for it… a pole. Pole beans require more effort than bush beans, but may also be grown in containers with the right support. |
| Plant Width: | 24 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Late - Ready for harvest around 86 days or more. |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Germination Temperature: | 70-90 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Beans are susceptible to beetles, aphids, spider mites, and cutworms. Look for signs of chewing, curling leaves, eggs on the undersides of leaves, and leaf discoloration. Keeping your bean plants clean from dust build-up and surrounded by a variety of plants to help deter and prevent pest damage. Beans are also susceptible to powdery mildew, bean blight, rust, and root rot. Maintain a regular watering schedule that avoids overly saturated soil. The roots need adequate time to air out between watering. This will also help prevent common fungal and bacterial diseases from developing. Good air circulation and applying water to the ground rather than the leaves will help maintain healthy bean plant growth. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container |
| Bean Use: | The young pods can be used as snap beans for stirfries, steamed dishes, or added to soups. The mature beans can be boiled and used in stews, curries, or mashed. From an ornamental standpoint, they are popular for creating living walls, trellises, or garden backdrops due to their striking flowers and foliage. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat, Drought |