Botanical Information
- Scientific Name: Lablab purpureus
- Family: Fabaceae (Pea/Bean family)
- Growth Habit: Twining, vigorous annual vine (perennial in zones 10-11)
- Height: Reaches 10-20 feet in a single season
- Leaves: Trifoliate, bright green with purple veins, pointed leaflets
- Flowers: Lilac-purple or white, pea-like, borne in loose clusters
- Pods: Flat, glossy, reddish-purple, 3-6 inches long, containing 2-4 seeds
- Seeds: Oval, varying colors (black, brown, white), with a white hilum
- Pollination: Self-pollinating, though insects may assist
Growing and Care Information
- Planting Time: Sow seeds in spring after the last frost when nights stay above 50°F.
- Location: Full sun for best blooms; tolerates partial shade but with fewer flowers.
- Soil: Prefers rich, well-draining, loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8.
- Support: Requires a sturdy trellis or arbor, at least 10-15 feet tall.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; roots rot in standing water.
- Fertilizer: Add compost at planting; use a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus formula monthly.
- Germination: Seeds sprout in 7-14 days; soak overnight to speed up the process.
- Maintenance: Low; guide young vines to supports, no deadheading needed.
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