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            

(Best months for growing Asparagus Pea in Australia - 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Feb 12, ivy mcbee (Australia - tropical climate)
It's grow vigorous in Indonesia we called it "kacang kecipir" and Malaysia..
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Jan 12, Roz (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Asparagus Peas can be purchased on Ebay
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Sep 15, Rosi (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought mine at Bunnings
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 51 - 60 of 79 comments
See comments for all plants

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Asparagus Pea

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.