Yardlong bean

Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. subsp. sesquipedalis

Family: Fabaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Not researchedPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Human edibility

Edible

Edible parts

immature pods, seeds (as dried beans)

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not yet checked.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not yet checked.

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No ASPCA page was found, so there is no pet verdict. That is not a statement that the plant is safe.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Plants that share its name. To tell them apart: The word 'bean' covers many unrelated plants, some of them poisonous. This record is only Vigna unguiculata (yardlong or long bean, cowpea). Yardlong bean is not the common green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), winged bean or lablab..

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: NC State: intolerant of frost ('frost tender'), tolerant of heat and humidity. Clemson: a warm-season crop; plant when soil is at least 60°F. No USDA zone range was found.
Mature size: Height 5 to 10 ft, width 1 to 3 ft (NC State, species level; climbing). Spacing: Clemson (ordinary cowpea, rows): 4 to 6 seeds per foot of row, 3/4 to 1.5 in deep, rows 20 to 42 in apart; older vining types 1 to 2 seeds per foot.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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