Lentil Lens culinaris
Lentil (Lens culinaris) is an annual vegetable in the Fabaceae family, native to Domesticated in the Fertile Crescent. It grows 25–50 cm (10–20 in) tall and 15–30 cm (6–12 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -8 °C (18 °F). Space plants about 10 cm (4 in) apart.
Plan Lentil in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Lentil at a glance
| Type | Annual vegetable |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 25–50 cm (10–20 in) |
| Mature spread | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Spacing | 10 cm (4 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 | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -8 °C (18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | about 6–9 weeks after planting, for 3–4 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 100 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: seeds, sprouts |
| Native to | Domesticated in the Fertile Crescent |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇳 India, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇪🇬 Egypt |
Is Lentil toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Raw dried lentils should be 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 Lentil
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 Lentil
- How far apart should I plant Lentil?
- About 10 cm (4 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–30 cm (6–12 in).
- Does Lentil need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Lentil need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Lentil?
- It tolerates about -8 °C (18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Lentil flower?
- About 6–9 weeks after planting, for 3–4 weeks.
- Is Lentil poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Raw dried lentils should be cooked.
- What grows well with Lentil?
- "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).
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- One of the first crops; light and fine-stemmed, so sow thickly or with a support crop.
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