Broad bean

Vicia faba

Layer 4 · Herbaceous
Nitrogen fixer

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Vicia faba is an annual legume native to North Africa and Southwest Asia, perfectly adapted to the Mediterranean climate. In a biological ecosystem, it acts primarily as a nitrogen fixer during winter, greatly improving soil structure and fertility. Additionally, it produces abundant biomass useful for mulch and provides early spring flowering that supports bee populations.

See which trees broad bean grows well with

Pick the central tree on your land and see the full guild.

No account needed.

Needs

Water: Medium
Light: Full sun
Size: Annual herbaceous plant up to 1 m
Mature diameter: 0.4 m
Soils: Clay, Loam, Sandy, Limestone
Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean, Mountain / cold

Calendar

January
February
March
April — Harvest
May — Harvest
June — Harvest
July
August
September
October — Planting
November — Planting
December — Planting

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: Highly nutritious edible legume rich in plant proteins.

Where to buy

Grows well with

Central trees this plant has already been paired with.

Central trees worth considering

May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.