Heirloom

Ruby Moon

Dolichos lablab

Purple stems, lilac-rose blossoms, and shiny 2-3" magenta pods. While all parts of the plant are edible, we recommend boiling the mature seeds twice before eating. Used in Asian, Thai, and Indian cuisine. Blooms and pods are useful as cut flowers; pods may be dried. Also known as bonavist-bean, and lablab-bean. Tender perennial in Zones 9-10. Best grown as an annual elsewhere.Edible Flowers: Flowers can be eaten raw or steamed, and can be used as a garnish for salads and desserts. Flavor is mild, bean-like, and sweet. A favorite in our taste tests.

Harvest

110-120d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to part shade

☀️

Zones

3–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-8 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

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Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Showing dates for Ruby Moon in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 vine →

Zone Map

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Ruby Moon · Zones 3–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining loam, slightly acidic to neutral

WaterRegular; consistent moisture during flowering and pod development

SeasonTender Perennial

FlavorMild, sweet, bean-like flavor in immature pods and flowers; mature seeds are starchy with subtle sweetness after cooking

ColorMagenta

Size2-3"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	June – August	—	—
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	—
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	—
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	—
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	—
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	—
Zone 9	—	March – May	—	—
Zone 10	—	March – April	—	—
Zone 11	—	February – March	—	—

Complete Growing Guide

Growing Ruby Moon (Dolichos lablab) vine. Light: Full sun to part shade. Days to maturity: 110. Difficulty: Moderate.

Harvesting

Ruby Moon reaches harvest at 110 - 120 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 2-3" at peak.

This is an ornamental variety — not grown for harvest. Enjoy in the garden landscape.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh immature pods keep 4-5 days in the refrigerator's vegetable crisper in a perforated plastic bag. Flowers are most aromatic within hours of picking but will last 2-3 days loosely covered in the fridge. For preservation, freeze immature pods blanched 3-4 minutes in boiling water, then shocked in ice water and packed in freezer bags for up to 8 months. Dry mature pods completely in a warm, airy location (or in a dehydrator at 115°F) until pods are brittle and rattle; store dried seeds in a cool, dark, dry container for up to 2 years. Flowers can be dried on screens in a warm room out of direct sunlight for 1-2 weeks, then stored in airtight containers for herbal teas or garnishes.

History & Origin

Lablab purpureus is a species of bean in the family Fabaceae. It is native to sub-Saharan Africa and it is cultivated throughout the tropics for food. English language common names include hyacinth bean, lablab-bean bonavist bean/pea, dolichos bean, seim or sem bean, lablab bean, Egyptian kidney bean, Indian bean, bataw and Australian pea. Lablab is a monotypic genus.

Considerations

-Moderate difficulty — some growing experience helpful
-Long season — needs 110 days to mature

Companion Plants

Marigolds and calendula deter aphids through scent and pull in parasitic wasps that knock back pest pressure across the whole trellis. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop, drawing aphids onto themselves and away from the lablab pods — a worthwhile trade. Chives and dill add pest-confusing aromatics without competing hard for root space at the 12-18 inch spacing Ruby Moon needs. Fennel is the one to skip — it releases root exudates that suppress most legumes, including lablab. Black walnut is a harder limit: around here in the southeast, juglone damage from established trees shows up as sudden wilting and death, and there's no remedy once a vine is sited too close.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, climbing companion

Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil and provide natural trellis support structure

Radishes

Break up soil for vine root development and deter vine borers

Chives

Repel aphids and improve soil health with sulfur compounds

Calendula

Attract beneficial predatory insects and repel whiteflies

Dill

Attracts beneficial wasps and predatory insects for pest control

Sweet Alyssum

Provides ground cover and attracts hoverflies that eat aphids

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of most vining plants

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that stunt vine growth and development

Eucalyptus

Root exudates suppress nearby plant growth and compete for nutrients

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Minimal issues; occasional spider mites or aphids in very hot, dry conditions

Diseases

Minimal issues; powdery mildew in dense foliage, leaf spot in extremely wet conditions

Troubleshooting Ruby Moon

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Fine webbing on leaf undersides, leaves look dusty or bronze, plants stressed in August heat

Likely Causes

Spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) infestation — classic hot, dry-weather pest that explodes fast once established
Lack of overhead moisture or mulch, leaving plants water-stressed and more vulnerable

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong stream of water every 2-3 days to knock mites off and disrupt colonies
2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the early morning — avoid spraying in full midday sun or you'll scorch the leaves
3.Mulch the root zone with 2-3 inches of straw to keep soil moisture steady and reduce plant stress

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually showing up mid to late summer in dense sections of the vine

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe spp.) — fungal issue that thrives in warm days and cool nights with low air movement
Overcrowded trellis with stems tangled together, cutting off airflow through the canopy

What to Do

1.Thin out crowded stems by hand so air can move through — Ruby Moon will fill back in quickly at 6-8 feet
2.Spray affected foliage with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) or a potassium bicarbonate product
3.Water at the base in the morning rather than overhead in the evening

Dark, water-soaked spots on leaves, sometimes with a yellow halo, appearing after a stretch of wet weather

Likely Causes

Bacterial leaf spot or fungal leaf spot (Cercospora spp.) — both spread readily in prolonged rain and splash from wet soil
Poorly drained bed holding moisture around the root zone

What to Do

1.Remove and bag the worst-affected leaves — don't compost them
2.Work 2 inches of compost into the bed before planting next season to improve drainage; raised beds are worth it if this spot stays wet after rain
3.Apply a copper-based fungicide as a preventive if leaf spot has been a recurring problem in that bed

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Ruby Moon vine take to produce pods?▼

Ruby Moon matures in 110-120 days from sowing, but you can begin harvesting tender, immature pods 70-80 days after planting. Full-sized pods suitable for seed saving take the full 110-120 days to develop and mature. Warm soil temperatures (above 70°F) and consistent sunlight accelerate maturity; cool springs delay flowering significantly.

Can you grow Ruby Moon in containers?▼

Yes, Ruby Moon grows well in large containers (20+ gallons) with sturdy support. Use rich, well-draining potting soil and water frequently—container plants dry out faster than in-ground vines. Place containers in full sun and feed every 2-3 weeks since container soil depletes nutrients quickly. Containers limit vine size somewhat, reducing overall yield but producing abundant flowers and pods for table use.

Is Ruby Moon good for beginners?▼

Ruby Moon is moderate difficulty for beginners—it's forgiving about watering and fertilizing mistakes and has few serious pests or diseases. The main challenges are ensuring sturdy support before planting and waiting for warm soil before sowing (seeds won't germinate in cool conditions). Once established, the vine is low-maintenance and highly productive.

What does Ruby Moon taste like?▼

Ruby Moon has a mild, sweet, bean-like flavor. The immature pods are tender and slightly sweet, tasting somewhat like a cross between snap peas and lima beans. The edible flowers have the mildest flavor of all plant parts—delicate, sweet, and faintly bean-like, making them excellent for salads and garnishes. Mature seeds are starchy and similar to other dried beans once cooked.

When should you plant Ruby Moon vine?▼

Plant Ruby Moon only after your last spring frost date when soil temperatures consistently reach 60°F or warmer. In most regions, this means late April to June. Earlier planting in cool soil causes seed rot and failed germination. In Zones 9-10 where Ruby Moon overwinters, established plants regrow in spring without replanting.

Do you need to boil Ruby Moon seeds before eating?▼

Yes—Ruby Moon mature seeds must be boiled twice before consumption to remove naturally occurring compounds. Boil for 20-30 minutes, discard the cooking water, then boil again. This step is essential for safety and is typical of many traditional lablab varieties, though immature green pods and flowers do not require this precaution and can be eaten raw or lightly cooked.