How to Grow Edamame Indoors

A soybean seedling can sprout and grow indoors.

Soybeans are often found at the store as dried beans, sprouts, tofu and in many prepared foods. They are also grown for the fresh green beans, called edamame, Soybeans are a type of bush bean that grows up to 3 feet tall. While normally grown in the garden, nearly any vegetable -- including soybeans -- can grow and produce indoors when there is adequate light, warmth and water.

Things You'll Need

• 24-inch flower pot
• Potting soil
• Perlite
• Compost
• Grow light
• Mulch
• Large pot

Instructions

1. Place a 24-inch diameter flower pot in a sunny window or under a grow light where it will receive eight hours or more of sunlight daily.

2. Mix 1 part potting soil, 1 part perlite and 1 part compost. Add water to moisten the planting mix. Pour into the flower pot.

3. Plant four soybean seeds 1 inch deep in the planting mix, equidistant around the perimeter of the pot, 4 inches in from the outer edge. Cover and water thoroughly.

4. Turn the flower pot every other day to face the sun. The soybean plants need full sun to thrive. If you are using a grow light, keep the bulbs 4 inches above the tallest plant.

5. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist. but not water-logged until the soybeans sprout. Once the beans have two to three sets of leaves, allow the soil to dry to the touch before watering.

6. Add a 2-inch layer of mulch to the outer perimeter and center of the flower pot. Do not cover the seeds.

7. Harvest when the soybean pods are 2 to 3 inches long and plump. Plunge the green pods into boiling water for a minute. Allow them to cool slightly, then shell the beans.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not soak the seeds before planting.

• Avoid adding fertilizer. Too much nitrogen will encourage leaf growth.

• Soybeans thrive in temperatures between 60 to 70 degrees F.

• Pick the pods before they turn yellow.

• Do not eat raw soybeans. They contain trypsin inhibitor, a substance that prevents your body from digesting proteins.

References

• University of Illinois, National Soybean Research Laboratory: Edamame - The New Garden-Type Soybean
• Harvest to Table: How to Grow Soybean
• University of Arizona Cooperative Extension: Vegetable Garden - Container Garden

Resources

• Apartment Therapy: The Indoor Vegetable Garden
• University of Minnesota Extension: Growing Beans in Minnesota Home Gardens