Photo: Whitney MattilaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Hyacinth bean Plant Care
Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is known for its beautiful purple flowers that contrast strikingly against its lush green foliage. Originating from Africa, Lablab purpureus is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique color combination and ability to attract beneficial pollinators to the garden.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Hyacinth bean?
Water Hyacinth 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 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Hyacinth bean Native To?
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Hyacinth bean?
Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Lablab genus. Hyacinth bean is native to sub-Saharan Africa and. Hyacinth bean is also known as Lablab bean, Indian bean, Dolichos bean.
Hyacinth bean displays a vining, climbing growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Hyacinth bean produces showy clusters of purple, pink, or white pea-like flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hyacinth bean?
Lablab purpureus 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 Hyacinth bean Need?
Hyacinth bean thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hyacinth bean Prefer?
Lablab purpureus grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Hyacinth bean prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hyacinth bean?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Hyacinth bean to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hyacinth bean?
Feed Hyacinth bean 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 Hyacinth bean?
Repot annually 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 Hyacinth bean?
Hyacinth bean can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Hyacinth bean Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hyacinth 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 Hyacinth bean?
Hyacinth bean is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, 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 Hyacinth bean Need?
Hyacinth bean grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Hyacinth bean is native to sub-Saharan Africa and. In cooler regions, grow Hyacinth bean as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Hyacinth 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 Lablab genus — compare its care with other Lablab species on PlantoScan.
Lablab is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Hyacinth 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: Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet, family Fabaceae (first published in Hort. Brit. : 481 (1826)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hyacinth 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.
- Photo: Whitney Mattila, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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