Petai (stink bean, sato) Parkia speciosa
Petai (stink bean, sato) (Parkia speciosa) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Fabaceae family, native to Southern Thailand and western Malesia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo). It grows 15–40 m (49–131 ft) tall and 10–20 m (33–66 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 12 m (39 ft) apart.
Plan Petai (stink bean, sato) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Petai (stink bean, sato) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 15–40 m (49–131 ft) |
| Mature spread | 10–20 m (33–66 ft) |
| Spacing | 12 m (39 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: seeds (raw or cooked; stir-fried with shrimp paste), young pods |
| Native to | Southern Thailand and western Malesia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is Petai (stink bean, sato) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; the pungent sulphur compounds pass into breath and urine.
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 Petai (stink bean, sato)
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 Petai (stink bean, sato)
- How far apart should I plant Petai (stink bean, sato)?
- About 12 m (39 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 m (33–66 ft).
- Does Petai (stink bean, sato) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Petai (stink bean, sato) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Petai (stink bean, sato)?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Petai (stink bean, sato) flower?
- From about April for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Petai (stink bean, sato) 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. Not poisonous; the pungent sulphur compounds pass into breath and urine.
- What grows well with Petai (stink bean, sato)?
- "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 B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- A tall rainforest tree; bat-pollinated club-shaped flower heads dangle on long stalks, then bunches of long twisted pods. A southern Thai and Malay favourite.
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