The Growth Rate of a Mung Bean

Smooth, medium-sized mung bean seeds germinate better than small or very large seeds.

The native East-Indian mung bean plant produces long pods -- similar to green beans -- that darken over time. Mature pods contain new pea-like, green mung beans sometimes sprouted for salads and other dishes, or eventually planted to propagate more mung bean plants, thus continuing the growth cycle.

Sprouting Time

Mung beans sprout easily using only water and a suitable container. According to the Asian Vegetable Research & Development Center, mung beans swell after about eight hours of soaking and produce 1- to 2-centimeter-long sprouts by the second or third day. After soaking for four or five days, sprouts reach 4- to 5-centimeters long, and by the eighth day measure about 8 to 9 centimeters.

Flowering Stage

In states such as Missouri and Oklahoma where mung beans grow well, seeds are planted in June and begin to flower in about 60 days, states the Jefferson Institute website. Blooms continue to emerge for several more weeks, while fruit forms elsewhere on the plant where older blooms dropped off after fertilization.

Mature Plants

Fully mature mung bean plants grow to a height of 2 to 3 feet and are ready for harvest in about three months, around mid-September for mung beans planted in June. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service lists the growth rate of mung beans as "rapid," with high seedling vigor.

References

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Conservation Plant Characteristics
• Asian Vegetable Research & Development Center: Mung Bean Sprout Production
• Jefferson Institute; "Mungbeans: A Food Legume Adapted to Hot, Dry Condition"; Robert L. Myers, Ph.D; November, 2000

Resources

• Landscaping Revolution: "Growing Your Own Food All Year Long"