Cluster beans have a unique flavour that tastes better than other bean varieties. The cluster beans available in the markets are mature and don’t have the best taste or texture. When we can have access to freshly harvested cluster beans straight from the kitchen garden there is nothing more satisfying. Do we need any other reason to grow it?
Growing Cluster Beans is not hard and the beans can be boiled, steamed or used in a variety of recipes. Cluster beans are ideal for growing in containers in balconies / kitchen gardens.
Cluster beans are known by many different names across India – Kothavarangai in Tamil, Kothamara in Malayalam, Goru chikkudu in Telugu, Tori Kayi in Kannada, Guar / Gawar Phali in Hindi, Jhar Sim in Bengali., Gavar in Marathi etc
Every region in India has unique recipes for preparation of cluster beans. The bean pods of immature cluster beans have the best flavour and I always harvest it when they are tender and crisp. These are also easy to prep when the pods are immature, the string at the edges of the bean pod are not there. They have to be de-stringed in case of mature cluster bean pods.
The list of dishes that can be prepared from cluster beans is a very long one, from a simple stir fry with a dash of coconut or an elaborate preparation like Paruppu usili. Often times my favourite is the simple fried kothavarangai vathal (Soaked in salted butter milk and sun dried – preserved cluster beans) which is a great accompaniment to a south Indian meal.
If you have a favourite recipe for preparing cluster beans, do share in the comments below. Check out some of the recipes I have tried here.
How to Grow Cluster Beans In Containers at Home?
This is my 2nd attempt at it. My 1st attempt was a failure. When I grew it for the 1st time the plants flowered but they didn’t produce any beans. This was probably due to over crowding too many plants in a single pot. I realised my mistake after my failure and started over.
I have shared the exact steps I took to successfully grow these beans in this video.
Cluster bean growing season in India
Cluster beans are best grown in the summer. They love the sun and the heat. Best time to grow will be March to September. You can grow through out the year if you have a tropical climate year round.
I started my 2nd attempt in early September, not the ideal time – for there wasn’t enough time before the winter. Anyways, I was itching to try it again and achieved moderate success.
How to grow cluster beans in your balcony?
Sun light:
Cluster beans need full sun so only grow these if you get at least 4-6 hours of direct sun.
Growing Medium:
I used a the below mix for the growing medium: – Soil, Leaf compost, cocopeat, with a handful of vermicompost and neem cake. Soil and compost were 1:1, the rest put together made up the 3rd part.
Add some sand or perlite to the potting mix to get a well draining soil.
Container:
They have shallow roots, so they don’t need a very deep container. Also its better to sow 2-3 seeds in a single pot and thin out to 1 after they develop some true leaves. They don’t do well if they are transplanted.
I used a 6” wide container and they did quite well in that. In my previous attempt I used a 12” grow bag and started multiple seeds . They grew really well initially but flowers didn’t turn into bean pods at all. So I feel it’s better to have individual pots or no more than 2 in a 10 – 12” container.
Germination:
They germinate between 5-10 days. Mine germinated between Day 4 – 5. A quick tip for faster germination is soaking them for about 7-8 hours before sowing.
Sow the seeds 1/2” under the soil.
Fertiliser:
They don’t need anymore fertiliser apart from the compost added originally. They are very low maintenance plants and I just sprayed them with some bokashi tea while they were flowering.
Watering:
They need consistent watering and should be in well drained pots.
Cluster beans are susceptible to fungal diseases. So it’s better to water at the roots rather than soaking the whole plant.
However, They are drought tolerant and over watering will cause root rot.
Growth Cycle:
- They develop true leaves after about 2-3 weeks of sowing the seeds.
- My plants flowered around the 1 month mark.
- The flowers are white with a tinge of pink /violet in the middle.
- The cluster bean flowers are self pollinating, i.e, they have both the male and female parts in the same flower and will pollinate by themselves, with a tiny bit of help from the wind.
- Tiny bean pods start forming around the 5 week mark.
- They are ready for harvest after 2 months of sowing the seeds.
- Harvested 7-8 cluster beans from each plant every 4-5 days for about a month. The plants stopped flowering in late november at the onset of winter.
- They have a longer fruiting stage if started during warmer months.
Harvest:
Always harvest the bean pods before they mature. The tender cluster beans taste the best. If you want to harvest the beans (seeds), let them mature on the plant for a few more weeks.
You can harvest them using basic garden scissors.
Seed Saving:
For collecting the seeds for the next cycle, Let a few bean pods mature fully and dry up on the plant it itself.
Once the pods are brown and dry, remove the seeds and dry them for a couple of days before storing them.
Pests / Diseases:
My plants were not affected by pests , maybe due to the short cycle in which they were grown. Normally some pod boring or similar pests may attack the plant. However, this has not been a major issue in container gardening at homes.
Cluster beans can get affected by fungal infections like powdery mildew if the foliage become wet frequently , especially during monsoon. A spray of diluted milk /whey on the leaves is an organic remedy for powdery mildew.,
Benefits of growing cluster beans
Cluster bean is a short duration and prolific crop. They are planted in a 2-3 months time window. It is a very fast growing annual.
You can get lots of beans in a small space.
It is a drought tolerant crop and can grow well under dry land conditions.
Cluster bean is a legume crop and helps in improving the soil fertility. It is a good source of nitrogen and improves soil structure.
Cluster bean nutrition
- Cluster beans are a legume (family Fabaceae). The beans are quite nutritious and have a high protein content and contain all the essential amino acids. .
- They are rich in protein, carbohydrates, fat, calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium and other minerals.
- They are also rich in vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin B.
- Cluster beans are a good source of iron, which is essential for the formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin in the human body.
- Cluster beans are also rich in potassium, which helps lower blood pressure and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Cluster beans contain glyconutrients and are therefore a food that can be included in diabetic diet plans. They have a low glycemic index, which makes them safe for people with diabetes.
- Cluster beans are rich in fiber and are an excellent source of dietary fiber. As we know, dietary fiber has a positive effect on bowel movements and helps to maintain the balance of good bacteria in the intestines.
Conclusion
Cluster beans can be grown in containers and you can get a fresh supply of beans all summer long.
Growing cluster beans is a great way to add a productive, attractive, and useful plant to your home garden. Beans are an excellent source of protein and fiber, and they are an excellent addition to your diet.
Growing beans in a container is a great way to make the most of your space, because it allows you to grow a lot of beans in a small area.
They can be grown successfully in containers and stored for long periods of time, they have a nutty flavour and can be enjoyed as a snack or in stews.
So, Will you be giving it a go ? Let me know your thoughts on growing cluster beans in the comments below.
7 thoughts on “Amazing Nutrition Source, Easy to Grow – Cluster Beans ( Guar / Kothavarangai)”
U can grow 5 in 12 inch pot.I have 5 in 12 inch pot got flower on 25 days.
I have planted 6 seeds. The seeds have germinated like the first picture shown with two petals but now 3 are almost dead and 3 are surviving but with weak stems almost bend. What is the problem ? Can anyone let me know?
It's possible the seedling didn't survive because of cold nights. You may try again once the nights become more warmer.
thank you very much. Do you have any information on the shelf life of stored fresh tender cluster beans to be stored as fresh vegetables.
If you have picked fresh from the garden, It will last about 3-4 days where it’s crisp and fresh. With refrigeration can last up to 2 weeks but I would suggest planning for harvest just a day or two before you can consume for best taste.
Your plant stopped flowering , so you kept the plant as-is ? Can we expect the plant to flower again later ?
It is a seasonal plant. Once it stops flowering, we need to uproot it and start again from the seeds.