Bean Snake, Indian

(Trichosanthes cucumerina subsp. anguina) This is an Indian variety of our favorite, fascinating edible gourd relative. Its fruit tastes much like green beans, except even more delicious and tender. We could give up a lot of other vegetables before we would not grow this queen of garden crops, known for its divine taste and snake-like beauty. So snake-like, in fact, that the beans terrify more than a few visitors to our garden each summer! Snake bean is almost completely absent in U.S. markets. Its long, delicate fruit doesn’t ship easily. Known as Chachinda in Hindi, it is particularly popular in South India, where it is made into curries and sabzi. A beautiful vining plant.

• 8-12 hours of Sun
• Sprouts in 5-8 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 Degrees F
• Seed Depth: 1/2-1"
• Plant Spacing: 6"
• Frost Hardy: No
  
• Trichosanthes cucumerina subsp. anguina
  

Growing Tips: Tolerates extreme heat, humidity. Soak seeds overnight; direct seed after last spring frost. Trellis vining types; pick when pods reach 12-18 inches.