Sanjay Acharya / CC BY-SA 3.0
garden
Adzuki bean
Vigna angularis
EdibleMedicinalDrought Tolerant
Edible PartsSeeds, Pods
Overview
A small, reddish-brown legume that has been a staple in East Asian cuisine for over a thousand years. Adzuki beans are one of the most easily digested beans, making them a gentle introduction to legume-based diets. In Japan, they hold cultural significance and are used in sweet red bean paste for traditional confections.
Growing Conditions
LightPartial Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones10 — 13
Height0.8m
Spread0.2m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Pollinator Valuehigh
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Soil pH5.8 — 7
Soil TypeWell-drained, fertile loam
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Direct Sow | Jun — Jun | Direct sow after all frost; needs 120 warm days; marginal in cold zones |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | Sep — Oct | Harvest when pods are dry and papery; thresh to remove beans |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | May — Jun | Direct sow when soil is 60°F+; bush type; no trellis needed |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | Sep — Oct | Pull plants when most pods are dry; hang to finish drying |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | May — Jun | Direct sow after frost; 120 days to dry bean stage |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Aug — Oct | Harvest dry pods; small red beans store for years |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Mar — May | Direct sow in spring; red beans used for sweet bean paste |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Jul — Sep | Harvest when pods rattle; dry thoroughly before storing |
| Hot (10+) | Direct Sow | Feb — Apr | Sow in spring; heat tolerant |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Jun — Aug | Harvest when pods are dry and brown |
Uses
Culinary
- Sweet red bean paste (anko) for desserts and mochi
- Sprouted for salads and stir-fries
- Cooked in soups and congee
Medicinal
- Traditional Chinese medicine uses for kidney and bladder health
- Rich in folate and iron for blood health
- High fiber content supports healthy digestion
Other Uses
- Used as a nitrogen-fixing cover crop
- Ground into flour for gluten-free baking
