GardenHow to grow cowpea (lobia)
लोबिया. When to sow it in each part of India, how deep, how far apart, what size of pot, and what to watch for.
When to sow
North and central plainsFebruary and March, June and July
South and coastal IndiaFebruary and March, June and July, October and November
HillsApril to June
Green months are the usual sowing or planting time. Dates shift by a few weeks from place to place.
How to sow and grow
- Method
- Sow the seed straight where the plant will grow.
- Depth
- 2.5 cm
- Spacing
- 15 cm apart
- In a pot
- Three plants in a pot 30 cm wide and deep; climbing types need a net
- Sprouts in
- 4 to 8 days
- Harvest
- 50 to 70 days
- Sun
- Full sun: at least 6 hours a day
Tips from the garden
- Lobia stands heat and poor soil better than any other bean, which makes it the bean for the summer and the monsoon.
- Pick the long pods while they are slim and tender.
- Like all beans it feeds the soil. Follow it with a leafy crop.
What can go wrong
Clusters of small black insects on the shoot tips are aphids. Wash them off with a jet of water or spray soap solution.
Sown around the same time
New to growing from seed? Read how to sow seeds and the balcony and terrace garden guide.
Questions people ask
When is cowpea sown in north India?
In the plains of north and central India, the usual sowing or planting months for cowpea are February and March, June and July.
How long does cowpea take to grow?
Usually 50 to 70 days.
Can cowpea be grown in a pot?
Yes. Three plants in a pot 30 cm wide and deep; climbing types need a net.