Moth bean Plant Care
Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Maréchal
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Vigna aconitifolia is a drought-resistant legume, commonly grown in arid and semi-arid regions of India. It is commonly called mat bean, moth bean, matki or dew bean.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Moth bean?
Moth bean grows best in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the Moth bean?
Moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Vigna genus. Moth bean is also known as Dew bean, Mat bean, Field bean.
Moth bean displays a vining, climbing growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Moth bean produces small, pea-like flowers in various colors.
What Light Does the Moth bean Need?
Moth bean thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Moth bean?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Moth bean to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Moth 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 Moth bean?
Moth bean can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mung bean plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Moth bean Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Moth 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 Moth bean?
Moth bean 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.
Keep exploring plants
Moth 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 Vigna genus — compare its care with other Vigna species on PlantoScan.
Vigna is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Moth bean thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Vigna Species
Other Vigna species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Maréchal, family Fabaceae (first published in Bull. Jard. Bot. Natl. Belg. 39: 160 (1969)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Moth 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.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Moth bean Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species