Sword Bean Plant Care
Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Canavalia gladiata, the sword bean or scimitar bean, is a domesticated plant species in the legume family Fabaceae. It is used as a vegetable in interior central and south central India, though not commercially farmed.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Sword Bean?
Water Sword Bean every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
What Is the Sword Bean?
Sword Bean (Canavalia gladiata) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Canavalia genus. Sword Bean is also known as Broad Sword Bean, Scimitar Bean.
Sword Bean displays a vining, climbing growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Sword Bean produces showy clusters of purple, pink, or white pea-like flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Sword Bean?
Canavalia gladiata requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Sword Bean Need?
Sword Bean thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sword Bean Prefer?
Canavalia gladiata grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Sword Bean prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sword Bean?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Sword Bean to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Sword Bean?
Feed Sword Bean every 4 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 4 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 Sword Bean?
Repot every 1-2 years in 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 Sword Bean?
Sword Bean can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to molokai jackbean plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Sword Bean Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Sword Bean, 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 Sword Bean?
Sword Bean is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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 Sword Bean Need?
Sword Bean grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Sword Bean as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Sword Bean 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 Canavalia genus — compare its care with other Canavalia species on PlantoScan.
Canavalia is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Sword Bean 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: Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC., family Fabaceae (first published in Prodr. 2: 404 (1825)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Sword Bean, 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 13b, 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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