Vigna radiata
Mung bean
Common names: Mung bean, Lunjab bean
Photo: Ivar Leidus · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
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Description
The mung bean, botanically *Vigna radiata*, originates from South Asia and is a leguminous plant. It forms mostly bushy, slightly climbing stems with trifoliate leaves and small yellow flowers from which slender, hairy pods develop. It is best known for its small green seeds, which are excellent for sprouting. The sprouts are often mistakenly sold as soy sprouts, although they are botanically mung bean sprouts. As a heat-loving plant it requires a sunny, sheltered spot and a long frost‑free season. Like many legumes, it fixes nitrogen in the soil through root nodules, making it a good cover crop for heavy feeders.
Care instructions
Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, as mung beans prefer warm, slightly damp conditions rather than wet ones. When the plants reach 15–20 cm tall, mound the soil slightly to provide support and root space. A fleece can help protect the heat-loving plant during cool nights below 10 °C. Harvest the pods continuously once they turn brown, as the plant will produce new pods for weeks thereafter.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, sandy, lean, dry
Feeding
Light feeder
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