Lablab purpureus

Helmbean

Common names: Lablab bean, Indian bean

Photo: Aris riyanto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

This description was machine-translated.

Description

The Helmbean, botanically Lablab purpureus, is a vigorous climbing ornamental bean with violet flowers and glossy, often purple pods. It originates from warmer regions and requires a sunny, sheltered spot and a sturdy trellis of at least 2 m in height. The young, tender pods can be prepared like bush beans; the mature seeds and older pods are raw toxic and should only be eaten after thorough cooking. Keep raw seeds and hard pods out of reach of children and pets.

Care instructions

Sow the Helmbean after the last frost, around mid‑May (week 20), directly in the garden or start indoors in warm conditions from April. The soil should be loose, nutrient‑rich, and kept evenly moist; the plant does not tolerate waterlogging. Provide a firm trellis early on so the plant climbs quickly and flowers into autumn. Harvest young pods continuously to encourage further flowering, and protect the plant at cool nights with a cloth, as it is damaged at temperatures below 2 °C.

Soil & site

Soil pH

4.0pH 6–7.28.0

Soil type

well-drained, nutrient-rich, humus-rich, loamy

LightFull sun

HardinessFrost-sensitive

Crop rotationLegumes

Water needMedium

Feeding

Medium 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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