Lablab (hyacinth bean, tua paep) Lablab purpureus
Lablab (hyacinth bean, tua paep) (Lablab purpureus) is an evergreen perennial vegetable in the Fabaceae family, native to Sub-Saharan Africa; long cultivated in India and Southeast Asia. It grows 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) tall and 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 3 °C (37 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
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Lablab (hyacinth bean, tua paep) at a glance
| Type | Perennial vegetable, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 3 °C (37 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–13 weeks after planting, for 9–21 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: young pods (cooked), flowers, young leaves, dry seeds (only after soaking and long boiling) |
| Native to | Sub-Saharan Africa; long cultivated in India and Southeast Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇳 India, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇧🇷 Brazil |
Is Lablab (hyacinth bean, tua paep) toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: raw mature seeds
Mature seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides and lectins: soak, discard the water and boil thoroughly. Young pods are eaten cooked.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Lablab (hyacinth bean, tua paep)
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C
Questions about Lablab (hyacinth bean, tua paep)
- How far apart should I plant Lablab (hyacinth bean, tua paep)?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft).
- Does Lablab (hyacinth bean, tua paep) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Lablab (hyacinth bean, tua paep) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Lablab (hyacinth bean, tua paep)?
- It tolerates about 3 °C (37 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Lablab (hyacinth bean, tua paep) flower?
- About 9–13 weeks after planting, for 9–21 weeks.
- Is Lablab (hyacinth bean, tua paep) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people moderately toxic. Mature seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides and lectins: soak, discard the water and boil thoroughly. Young pods are eaten cooked.
- What grows well with Lablab (hyacinth bean, tua paep)?
- "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
Notes and assumptions
- A short-lived perennial grown as an annual climber; purple-stemmed forms with shining purple pods are also grown as ornamentals on arches.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
- Garden pea Pisum sativum
- Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
- Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
- Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
- Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
- Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
- Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis