PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; tolerates mild afternoon shade in hot temperate or subtropical regions
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist during active growth; avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot
Temperature
Thrives in temperate to warm conditions; avoid frost exposure as plants are frost-tender
Characteristics
- Leaf: Compound trifoliate leaves with oval, bright green, smooth-textured leaflets
- Flower: Pea-like bright red to pink blooms, 2–3 cm across, borne in leaf axils
- Pod: Four-angled winged green pods, 5–8 cm long, maturing to light brown
Care Guide
Watering
Keep top 2 cm of soil moist; water deeply when dry
Fertilization
Diluted balanced feed every 2 weeks. Reduce feeding once pod production begins to avoid excessive foliage growth
Banana peel compost tea：Soak fully composted banana peels in water for 24 hours; dilute 1:20 for root drench to support pod developmentPruning
- Pinch back young stem tips to encourage bushier, more productive growth
- Remove spent flowers to prolong blooming and increase pod yield
- Trim dead or yellowing foliage after harvest to tidy planting areas
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: No documented toxicity to cats
Humans: No known toxicity to humans; pods are edible when cooked
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Edible cooked pods; ornamental garden border plant
