Growing Asparagus Pea, also Winged bean

Lotus tetragonobolus : Fabaceae / the pea or legume family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
P P P         P P P P P

(Best months for growing Asparagus Pea in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 59°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 10 inches apart
  • Harvest in 8-11 weeks. Pick early, pick often.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best grown in separate bed

Your comments and tips

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02 Aug 12, Kate (Australia - arid climate)
The page refers to 'lotus tetragonolobus' as being asparagus pea, but other web sites have indicated it is 'psophocarpus tetragonolobus' which is asparagus pea. Are they the same? If not are they interchangeable? Do they grow in the same conditions? Wikipedia indicates that only the pod of the lotus version is edible and pretty much all of the psophocarpus version is edible. Can you confirmed?
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05 Aug 12, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
There is confusion between the two. The 'Lotus' variety (aka purpurea) grows in cooler climates and just the pods are edible. Seedsavers suggest it originated in Africa. The 'Psophocarpus' variety is a tropical plant and most of it is edible. Wikipedia suggests it originated in New Guinea.
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29 Feb 12, ivy mcbee (Australia - tropical climate)
It's grow vigorous in Indonesia we called it "kacang kecipir" and Malaysia..
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14 Jan 12, Roz (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Asparagus Peas can be purchased on Ebay
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05 Sep 11, Hugh (Australia - temperate climate)
It is a winter crop in its native environment. In dry Mediterranean climates it should be planted in autumn for a spring harvest. Grew well like this for me.
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25 Feb 11, Lesley (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
These seeds are available through Green Harvest Organic Gardening. If you look them up on the net, you will find them. They are an Australian company. Kind Regards, Lesley.
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17 Apr 10, Maria (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been searching where to buy asparagus peas seeds, any idea where to get them I live in Adelaide
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10 Sep 15, Rosi (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought mine at Bunnings
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04 Apr 10, Debra (Australia - temperate climate)
I managed to get a packet of seeds from Yilgarn Traders in Geraldton WA a few years ago, the plants grew but not successfully. Supposedly able to grow here, but maybe getting only 60% annual rainfall for a few years and hotter than normal temperatures made the difference. Moving to Donnybrook WA in next few years, hopefully the pea will take to cooler climate.
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23 Feb 10, Errol (Australia - temperate climate)
Asparagus pea seeds available from various agents of Ericavale Aust. 07 5497 0266 . Various growers had problems but others in Melbourne found very vigorous
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