Cropping plant

Vicia faba is the Latin name of the bean commonly known as the fava bean, broad bean, bell bean, field bean or tic bean. It is a member of the legume family with roots that fix nitrogen in the soil. Plant these beans from seeds since you are not likely to find them for sale as started plants. They germinate and grow easily.  Unlike most other beans, fava beans grow best in cool temperatures making them a good winter crop in mild climates and fine for spring and summer elsewhere.

The unusual black and white blooms of the fava bean

They grow into thick plants with remarkably showy flowers – stacks of long, white, pea-like blooms with unusual big black splotches – a color rarely seen in flowers. Pollinated flowers grow into long, soft, rounded, green pods with large beans. The pods are plush and velvety inside, creating a soft cushion for the beans. 

Cozy fava beans in their cushioned pod

Beans can be prepared from raw or dried seeds. Fava beans are an ancient food as they were cultivated in the Mediterranean area for thousands of years before the birth of Christ. Some few people have an inherited enzyme deficiency that can lead to a dangerous allergic response to fava beans. The condition is not common. Fava beans are favorite ingredients in many culinary dishes all around the world.

These beans are easy to grow and not grown as often as they deserve. They are attractive with showy flowers, taste delicious in a wide range of recipes and are highly nutritious. The Vicia faba is a fast-growing plant and enriches the soil where it has grown with nitrogen. Consider growing fava beans in your garden. They are very rewarding decorative and unusual vegetables.

Freshly cropped fava beans and pods

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