Glycine max

RHS Plant Profile
soya bean

Other common names

soja bean, soy bean, white gram

Annual Biennial Fruit Edible

An upright, bushy annual legume with green foliage and small, insignificant sweet-pea like white to purple-pink flowers which appear from July through to September, followed by clusters of green, hairy fruit pods containing around 3 to 4 soyabeans per pod. Ready to harvest July through to November, when the pods turn yellow and leaves begin to drop

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
A genus of scrambling annual or perennial, best known for the species Glycine max, which is the cultivated soya bean used as a food ingredient. Tall stems produce green foliage and violet-purple to white flowers followed by green seed pods
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, well-drained humus-rich soil in full sun under glass April to May. Remove cover when seedlings appear and transfer outside to harden off from late May when the risk of frost has passed. Plants may need support in windy areas. Harvest beans when pods turn yellow. For more advice see soya-bean cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Edible fruit

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to bacterial blights, brown spot, anthracnose, downy mildews, powdery mildews and soybean rust, root and stem rots, stem blights and virus diseases