Ruby Moon hyacinth bean vine, Dolichos lablab 30 Seeds Free Shipping!
The hyacinth bean is a laid-back, robust flowering vine that offers great ornamental appeal. It can also be eaten if cooked correctly, but be careful—mature beans are toxic when raw. With its stunning leaves and fragrant blooms, this plant is definitely a great addition to any garden.
the Ruby Moon hyacinth bean vine produces beans that are technically edible, but they must be boiled before consumption to remove toxins. It's recommended to use this plant primarily for ornamental purposes due to its potential toxicity.
Height: 6 to 8 feet when supported on a trellis
Width: 3 to 5 feet when not on a trellis
Bloom Period: From late spring until frost
Sun Requirements: Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade
Water Needs: Moderate watering
Hardiness Zones: Thrives in USDA zones 7 - 12
This fascinating vine thrives in tropical climates and is a perennial in zones 10-12. In other areas, it’s simple to cultivate as an annual and often self-sows, coming back the next spring. Its quick-growing, twining nature makes it a fantastic option for any trellis.
'Ruby Moon' is the top choice when it comes to hyacinth bean varieties, and it's easy to see why. This strong cultivar packs in all the best traits of the species. It's super simple to grow and needs very little care for a big reward. It's one of my all-time favorites that I planted once, and it has been thriving for years!
The 'Ruby Moon' hyacinth bean is a gorgeous plant that loves to vine. Its beautiful purple stems are fantastic at wrapping around anything nearby. With some support, this vine can reach up to 20 feet tall. It branches out generously, creating a lush mound of violet leaves.
The leaves, which have a purple hue like the rest of the plant, are large, soft, and heart-shaped. They begin as a light green and slowly transition to a dusky dark green with a hint of violet as they mature.
The flower spikes are long and graceful, showcasing blue-violet, pea-like flowers that emit a sweet, delightful fragrance. They make for great cut flowers. Once the flowers drop, deep plum-colored pods take their place. The hyacinth bean provides ornamental beauty from late summer all the way to the first frost.
This hyacinth bean hails from tropical Africa and India, with a strong presence in eastern Africa, especially Ethiopia. Its cultivation history stretches back quite a while in Southeast Asia, where locals grow it as both a beautiful ornamental and a traditional food source.
The ‘Ruby Moon’ hyacinth bean is sensitive to frost and takes some time to mature as an annual. Depending on your climate, you can either sow the seeds directly once the frost danger has passed or start them indoors. In cooler areas, it's best to start the seeds about a month to six weeks before the last frost date.
These plants thrive in warm soil, so if you’re sowing them directly, just be patient. They self-sow, and it usually takes until the end of June for them to start sprouting. Keeping the soil moist will help with germination.
Before transplanting, make sure to harden off your seedlings during the week leading up to it. It’s a good idea to choose a cloudy day or do the planting in the morning to minimize heat stress. I find them super easy to transplant; they tend to pop up in various spots, and I just dig them up and relocate them wherever I want.
For about a week, keep the soil moist to help the roots adjust. After that, this plant doesn’t need much care unless you decide to trim it back. If you want, you can mulch around the base to help the soil retain moisture.
If you’re looking to get a head start in a cooler climate, start your seeds indoors about six to eight weeks in advance. These seeds are large and don’t need light to germinate, so direct sowing is the way to go for those in milder climates.
The seeds have a thick outer shell, so scarifying and soaking them will speed up germination. Soak your seeds for 8 to 12 hours before planting, and then use a knife or small tool to nick the seed coat. Avoid sowing when it’s hot outside, as the seedlings may struggle before they can grow. Instead, plant when temperatures are between 65 and 85°F (18-29°C).
Plant your seeds about an inch deep and 12 inches apart. They’ll need a trellis or some kind of support to climb, and once they get going, they grow quickly. Keep the soil moist during germination, then ease off on the watering to a moderate level. Once they’re established, they can handle some drought.
In cooler climates, these can be a bit tricky since they take quite a while to bloom. Gardeners with shorter growing seasons might find it tough unless they start the seeds early. Overall, these plants are pretty low-maintenance and really make a statement.
To ensure the best growth and blooming, plant your ‘Ruby Moon’ hyacinth bean plants in full sunlight. They thrive in a location that gets six to eight hours of sun each day. They can grow in partial shade, but it will be at a slower pace. Plus, they won’t flower as well, and the vines and stems might not be as strong.
These vines require a moderate amount of water. When you first plant them, keep the soil moist to help the plants develop strong roots. After they’re established, you can water them about once a week, depending on the weather. Usually, moderate rainfall is enough.
Once ‘Ruby Moon’ matures, it can handle drought pretty well. However, providing consistent water will encourage more and sturdier flowers. Just be careful not to overwater, as soggy soil can lead to root rot.
When it comes to soil, hyacinth bean is quite flexible. It can thrive in any soil type, even poor, sandy soil. If that’s what you have, adding some compost before planting can be beneficial. Soil that’s too rich in nitrogen will result in lots of green growth but fewer flowers.
Drainage is the key factor for soil; heavy clay soil can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Mixing in lighter materials like compost, sand, or perlite can help enhance drainage. Slightly acidic soil is the best option.
The hyacinth bean is sensitive to frost and isn't hardy in areas north of zone 10. Even a light frost can kill it. This plant loves warm weather and handles heat well once it's settled in. For the best growth, aim for temperatures between 70 and 85°F (21-29°C).
These vines can handle different humidity levels, but they originally come from tropical regions. They thrive in moderate to high humidity. If you're in a humid area, make sure there's good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew.
If you have fertile soil, you don't need to worry about fertilizing 'Ruby Moon.' Too much nitrogen can actually be harmful here. It leads to lots of leafy growth but fewer flowers. If your soil isn't great, a single dose of balanced fertilizer early in the season is ideal. Remember, hyacinth bean is a legume, so it helps fix nitrogen in the soil.
Maintenance
As an annual, the hyacinth bean doesn't need much maintenance. Deadheading the flowers can encourage more blooms and help limit self-sowing. These plants tend to reseed themselves, so it's wise to remove the seed pods. If it gets too big for its support, it can handle being cut back.
While you can propagate hyacinth bean from cuttings, it's much simpler to grow them from seeds. The seeds will sprout and grow just as fast as cuttings develop roots and start to grow. So, for most gardeners, it's not worth the extra hassle.
