Botanical Name: Lablab purpureus
Family: Fabaceae
Native: Africa
Hardiness: Perennial in USDA zones 10 and warmer, usually grown as an annual
Plant Dimensions: 10'–20 vine
Variety Information: Loose clusters of 1" purple sweet-pea-shaped flowers followed by attractive, shiny, 3"–5" long purple pods.
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Bloom Period: Summer to frost
Attributes: Drought Tolerant, Good for Containers
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 65°F, ideally 70°–85°F. Successive Sowings: Every 7 to 14 days up to 80 days before your average first fall frost date. NOTE: In very hot summer areas, skip sowing as high heat approaches; temperatures consistently above 90°F will prevent beans from forming.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended. 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. Roots are sensitive to disturbance; use biodegradable pots that can be placed directly into the ground.
Days to Emerge: 3–30 days
Seed Depth: 1"
Seed Spacing: A group of 2 seeds every 12"
Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 12"
