How to grow Winged Beans in Australia
Plant in full sun in warm, rich, well drained soil once all cold has passed. These vigorous climbers need a tall, sturdy trellis.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 30 cm
- Time to harvest: 65 days
- Time to germinate: 10 days
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to February | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to February | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October to December | Marginal tropical; narrow frost-free window; unreliable in Sydney. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October to December | Frost-sensitive perennial. Sow Nov to Dec, mulch heavily, may need frost cloth. Dies in cold winters. |
| Adelaide & SA | Not suited | Not viable in Adelaide. Needs a long humid tropical season. |
| Perth & WA | Not suited | Not reliable in Perth. Needs a long humid tropical season and sets pods only as days shorten. Grow snake beans instead. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Tropical legume killed by cold nights, let alone frost. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Winged Beans unsuitable for Canberra: tropical legume; frost kills. Use peas or beans suited to cool season. |
| North Queensland | September to February | Wet season Sep to Feb. Winged beans are tropical staple legume; thrive in heat and humidity. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to February | Wet season Sep to Feb. Winged beans are tropical staple legume; thrive in heat and humidity. |
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick pods while young and firm, before the ribs turn fibrous, at around finger length. Snap or snip them off and keep picking to drive more pods.
Storage
Fridge in a bag, up to 4 days.