Fortune's Groundnut Plant Care
Apios fortunei Maxim.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Apios fortunei, commonly known as hodo, hodoimo, groundnut, or potatobean, is a tuber-forming member of the bean family.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Fortune's Groundnut?
Water Fortune's Groundnut every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Fortune's Groundnut?
Fortune's Groundnut (Apios fortunei) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Apios genus.
Fortune's Groundnut displays a twining vine growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Fortune's Groundnut produces clusters of fragrant, maroon flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Fortune's Groundnut?
Apios fortunei requires watering every 3–5 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Fortune's Groundnut Need?
Fortune's Groundnut thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Fortune's Groundnut Prefer?
Apios fortunei grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Fortune's Groundnut prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Fortune's Groundnut?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Fortune's Groundnut to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Fortune's Groundnut?
Feed Fortune's Groundnut every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Fortune's Groundnut?
Repot annually in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Fortune's Groundnut?
Fortune's Groundnut can be propagated through seeds, tubers. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pink groundnut plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Fortune's Groundnut Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Fortune's Groundnut, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Fortune's Groundnut?
Fortune's Groundnut is susceptible to aphids, bean leaf beetles, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Fortune's Groundnut Need?
Fortune's Groundnut grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Fortune's Groundnut as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Fortune's Groundnut is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Apios genus — compare its care with other Apios species on PlantoScan.
Apios is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Fortune's Groundnut thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Apios fortunei Maxim., family Fabaceae (first published in Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg , sér. 3, 18: 396 (1873)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Fortune's Groundnut, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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