Vegetable hummingbird (agati, dok khae) Sesbania grandiflora
Vegetable hummingbird (agati, dok khae) (Sesbania grandiflora) is an evergreen perennial vegetable in the Fabaceae family, native to Probably Malesia (Indonesia, Philippines); cultivated throughout tropical Asia. It grows 5–10 m (16–33 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
Plan Vegetable hummingbird (agati, dok khae) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Vegetable hummingbird (agati, dok khae) at a glance
| Type | Perennial vegetable, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 5–10 m (16–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about October for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: flowers (cooked; sour curry kaeng som dok khae), young leaves and pods (cooked) |
| Native to | Probably Malesia (Indonesia, Philippines); cultivated throughout tropical Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇮🇳 India, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇲🇾 Malaysia |
Is Vegetable hummingbird (agati, dok khae) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Flowers and leaves are a common cooked vegetable; remove the bitter stamen column before cooking.
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 Vegetable hummingbird (agati, dok khae)
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 Vegetable hummingbird (agati, dok khae)
- How far apart should I plant Vegetable hummingbird (agati, dok khae)?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Vegetable hummingbird (agati, dok khae) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Vegetable hummingbird (agati, dok khae) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Vegetable hummingbird (agati, dok khae)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Vegetable hummingbird (agati, dok khae) flower?
- From about October for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Vegetable hummingbird (agati, dok khae) 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. Flowers and leaves are a common cooked vegetable; remove the bitter stamen column before cooking.
- What grows well with Vegetable hummingbird (agati, dok khae)?
- "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
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- Fast-growing, short-lived (about 20 years) and weak-wooded; sickle-shaped white or red flowers hang under the branches. Grown on paddy dykes and as a support and shade for betel vines.
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