Family: Fabaceae
Scientific name: Mucuna nigricans
Common name: Black Jade Vine
Origin: East Asia

The black jade vine is a rare climber from the tropics of eastern Asia. The impressive black-purple flowers are about 10cm large and grow in large hanging clusters. It is a climbing vine that can climb up to 20 metres in nature, but it grows less intensely than other Mucuna species. If grown in a pot the plant stays smaller and can be pruned. It can even flower when it is smaller and could even give flowers within a year! The best circumstances are a tropical place or a greenhouse with high humidty. It is a rare species and a good addition to a plant collection.

Sowing description: Scarify the seeds first with sandpaper until you see a change of colour and without damaging the germ. Then, soak for 24 hours in lukewarm water and sow in soing mix. Germinate at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and keep the soil lightely moistened.

Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Intermediate
Minimum temperature: 5 degrees Celsius


Foto 2: Forest en Kim Starr