Hyacinth Bean / Sheem / Sem Phali (Lablab Purpureus) – Black seeds

Hyacinth beans are a heat-tolerant legume species originating from Africa. There are many varieties, including those with white, brown, or black seeds, with various coloured pods (green, purple, green with purple edges). This variety produces vigorous foliage and striking, vibrant purple flowers, with the young pods offering excellent culinary appeal when harvested early. The blooms are plentiful and beautiful, providing fantastic ornamental value, while a single vine can easily cover an entire 2x3m trellis or more.

This pack contains 8 high quality, hand-picked black Hyacinth bean seeds collected during the year of sale, which are untreated and ready for planting.

This is a dual-purpose variety: the thick, fleshy pods are also delicious for culinary use when picked young and tender and the large black beans can be eaten after high heat cooking. Please be aware, all fully mature/dried hyacinth beans must be thoroughly cooked before consumption.

Hyacinth beans typically fruit in spring and autumn in my garden, though timing may vary depending on your local climate. It is a perennial that can produce year after year if grown in a frost-free, warm climate.

These seeds are more difficult to germinate compared to regular green beans, so scarifying and/or soaking them prior to planting is highly recommended. Germination can take up to 3 weeks, particularly in cooler weather.