Horse Gram Plant Care
Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Macrotyloma uniflorum is a legume native to tropical southern Asia. Known for its distinct taste and texture, its rich nutrients and reputed medicinal properties, it is widely used in many cuisines.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Horse Gram?
Water Horse Gram 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 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Horse Gram?
Horse Gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Macrotyloma genus. Horse Gram is native to tropical southern Asia. Horse Gram is also known as Kulthi Bean, Dolichos uniflorus.
Horse Gram displays a vining, climbing growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Horse Gram produces small, pea-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Horse Gram?
Macrotyloma uniflorum 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 Horse Gram Need?
Horse Gram thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Horse Gram Prefer?
Macrotyloma uniflorum grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Horse Gram prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Horse Gram?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Horse Gram to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Horse Gram?
Feed Horse Gram 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 Horse Gram?
Repot every 1-2 years 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 Horse Gram?
Horse Gram can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to biflorum bean plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Horse Gram Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Horse Gram, 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 Horse Gram?
Horse Gram is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, 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 Horse Gram Need?
Horse Gram grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Horse Gram is native to tropical southern Asia. In cooler regions, grow Horse Gram as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Horse Gram 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 Macrotyloma genus — compare its care with other Macrotyloma species on PlantoScan.
Macrotyloma is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Horse Gram 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: Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc., family Fabaceae (first published in Kew Bull. 24: 322 (1970)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Horse Gram, 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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