How to Grow Winged Beans in Australia
A warm-season fruiting crop for the home garden
Growing your own Winged Beans is one of the more satisfying things you can do in an Australian backyard. They are rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$3-6/week, an entire edible plant (leaves, pods, roots, flowers) rarely found in supermarkets.
This guide covers when to plant Winged Beans in your region, the position and soil they like, how to sow and space them, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Winged Beans are a warm-season crop, frost-tender and needs a frost-free run. In subtropical South-East Queensland they are sown in September, October, November, December, January and February. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Position and Soil
Give Winged Beans full sun (at least 6 hours a day). They do best in free-draining soil with a pH around 5.5 to 7.5. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. They grow happily in a pot of 40cm+ with trellis, which makes them a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 3 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 30 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 10 days, fastest when the soil is between 25 and 35 degrees.
The whole plant is edible, pods, leaves, flowers and tubers. True tropical legume, fixes nitrogen, almost no pests. Perfect for SEQ summer when other beans struggle.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 5 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Few. The main diseases to watch are Few. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Winged Beans are typically ready to harvest in around 65 days (about 2 months). Fridge in a bag, up to 4 days.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, winged beans are good pods stir-fried whole when young, seeds cooked like broad beans, roots eaten like potato in some cuisines and leaves and flowers also edible. Nutritionally: whole plant is nutritious and edible and good protein source, fixes nitrogen.
Companion Planting
Winged Beans grow well alongside Corn, Sweet potato and Basil. Keep them away from Garlic and Onion. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Winged Beans Growing
Add winged beans to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Winged Beans in Australia?
Winged Beans are a warm-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland they are sown in September, October, November, December, January and February. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Winged Beans take to grow?
Winged Beans are generally ready to harvest in around 65 days (about 2 months).
Can I grow Winged Beans in a pot?
Yes. Winged Beans grow well in a container of 40cm+ with trellis with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Winged Beans need?
Give they full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Winged Beans in the Plant Library
