Vigna angularis

Adzuki bean

Common names: Aduki bean, Rice bean

Photo: Sanjay Acharya · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

This description was machine-translated.

Description

The adzuki bean, botanically Vigna angularis, originates from East Asia and produces small, reddish‑brown seeds with a fine, mildly sweet flavor. It is a heat‑loving, predominantly bushy bean that is grown as an annual summer crop in the DACH region, requiring full sun and a sheltered location. As a legume, it fixes nitrogen in the soil through root nodules and is well suited as a cover crop for nitrogen‑hungry vegetables. The mature dry kernels are harvested, can be stored for long periods when dried, and are widely used in Asian cuisine.

Care instructions

Sow the adzuki bean after the last frost, around mid‑May (week 20), once the soil is consistently warm. It prefers loose, humus‑rich soil and even moisture but does not tolerate waterlogging. The plant grows mainly bushy and usually does not need support. Regularly weed around young plants to allow unobstructed growth. Allow the pods to dry completely on the plant at the end of the season, typically from September onward, before harvesting and dehusking the beans.

Soil & site

Soil pH

4.0pH 6–78.0

Soil type

well-drained, humus-rich, nutrient-rich, sandy

LightFull sun

HardinessFrost-sensitive

Crop rotationLegumes

Water needMedium

Feeding

Light feeder

Companion planting

Good neighbors

cabbage family (Brassicaceae)

particularly well established

Leguminous plants collect nitrogen in the soil, from which Brassicaceae benefit as heavy feeders.

For example White cabbageKohlrabiRadishKalebroccolicauliflower and 34 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

carrot family (Apiaceae)

Peas and beans provide carrot and celery with nitrogen and grow as shallow-rooted plants without competition next to each other.

For example Carrotcelery rootDillParsleyCarrot fennelCoriander and 19 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

gourd family (Cucurbitaceae)

Beans and peas enrich the soil with nitrogen, which cucurbits, as heavy feeders, can make good use of.

For example CucumberPumpkinCourgettepickling cucumberButternutHokkaido and 14 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

Rather not

amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)

particularly well established

Allium species inhibit the nitrogen‑fixing rhizobia of legumes through their root exudates, which slows their growth.

For example GarlicOnionLeekChivesDaffodilRocambole and 12 more species in the catalogue

Source: basic crop‑rotation rule

Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.

Some of these explanations were machine-translated.

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