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Sword bean

Canavalia gladiata
Edible value5Medicinal value2Other uses5
Climber10×3.5 mzone 9–11light shade

Will it grow where I live?

Sword bean is grown as an annual in temperate climates: sow or plant out after the last frost, harvest until the first autumn frost. The summer heat it needs to ripen is out of reach outdoors in Central Europe – greenhouse or conservatory.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family
Fabaceae
Habit
Climber
Height
10 m
Spread
3.5 m
Growth
medium
Lifespan
1 year
First yield
after 1 year
Hardiness
zone 9–11
Shade tolerance
light shade
Soil
Sand, Silt, Loam
Soil moisture
semi-dry – very moist
pH
5.5 – 7

Uses

Edible5 of 10
Medicinal2 of 10
Other uses5 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Sword bean: how big does it get?

Sword bean (Canavalia gladiata) grows as a Climber and reaches roughly 10 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 3.5 m. Growth is medium.

Sword bean: what site does it need?

Sword bean tolerates light shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam. Soil moisture should be in the range semi-dry – very moist. The pH may lie between 5.5 and 7.

Sword bean: is it hardy?

Sword bean is listed as hardy in zone 9–11 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Sword bean: will it grow in Central Europe?

Sword bean is grown as an annual in temperate climates: sow or plant out after the last frost, harvest until the first autumn frost. The summer heat it needs to ripen is out of reach outdoors in Central Europe – greenhouse or conservatory.

Sword bean: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Sword bean. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Sword bean: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 5/10, Medicinal 2/10, Other uses 5/10.

Community experience

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