Hyacinth Bean is a climbing perennial, treated as an annual, may climb to 20ft(6m), and has edible immature pods. The seeds are most often dried and cooked, or used for sprouting. Choosing a daylight-neutral type is important for this subtropical bean. Its attractive flowers add ornamental interest in the garden. This bean may produce two crops in a season if there are 20 weeks in your growing season.

The vine is a dark maroon, covered with deep green leaves. The blooms are spikes of fragrant pea-like purple flowers that bloom from early summer to early winter.

The four main varieties of the hyacinth bean are

    1) Brewer – yellow seeded varieties
    2) Crimson- produces small red seeds. Is the most drought tolerant
    3) Indian Head- produces small black seeds
    4) Red Chief- most commonly grown variety, which matures in 95 days

Ideal Site- Hyacinth bean prefers a sunny location in a well drained but moisture retentive soil, although it can tolerate some shade.and most soil conditions. They can also be grown in containers. Prior to planting prepare the soil with a low fertility soil improver if the was not improvered by a previous crop. The ideal soil pH is 6-7.

Seed to Harvest- 8-10 weeks. Can produce 2 crops in a 20 week or more growing season

Cultivation- Sowing outdoors.- Plant seeds 1in(2.5cm) deep 6in(15cm) apart after danger of the last frost has past. After plants are 2in(5cm) tall thin to 12(30cm) apart if sowing as a crop.

Sowing indoors- sow in biodegradable cell packs 6-8weeks before danger of last frost has past. Harden off before planting outdoors.

Plant Care- Provide something for the vine to climb on, unless it is to be used as a ground cover. It can be anything from a fence, trellis or even twine secured from the roof of the house. It requires little training and will wrap around whatever is handy. Hyacinth bean pods are low maintenance and require moderate watering two to three times a week.

Problems- Hyacinth bean pods are generally problem free, although they are a favorite of Japanese beetle. Over fertilizing can cause excessive leaf growth limiting the number of flowers to set.

Harvesting-The young immature pods can be cooked and eaten but the mature dried seeds are toxic due to high levels of cyanogenic glucosides.

Nutrients- Hyacinth beans contain a variety of elements and compounds, including vitamins B1 and C; linoleic acid; oleic acid; leucine; carotene; sucrose; glucose; calcium; iron; and zinc.