Leidse Hangdown

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweetly fragrant and richly green, Leidse Hangdown fava pods arrive with a graceful, pendulous habit and a tender, succulent bite.

The beans inside develop a smooth, buttery texture and a pleasantly mellow, garden-sweet flavor that shines when shelled young—ideal for fresh enjoyment and for turning into velvety spreads and vibrant sauces. Grow this classic for its elegant form and its rewarding, early-to-midseason harvest window at about 75 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Leidse Hangdown

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

With a buttery, smooth bite when shelled young, Leidse Hangdown favas want minimal heat and quick fat to keep them sweet rather than chalky. Purée or sauté them fast with lemony brightness—this is the variety that turns “green beans” into something you actually spoon.

Best Uses

shelled young and quickly sautéed with butter until just tender
blend into a silky spread with lemon and olive oil
fold into bright spring sauces or purées for pasta and gnocchi
pan-roast and lightly season for a warm, spoonable side

Flavor Profile

mellow, garden-sweet fava flavor smooth, buttery bean texture subtly fragrant and green, with a soft vegetal snap

Kitchen Pairings

lemon butter extra-virgin olive oil garlic mint parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Vicia faba (Samantha fava/Leidse Hangdown), and what should I do?

Watch for chocolate-brown leaf spots and mildew-like growth, which often show up in cool, humid weather on fava beans. Remove and discard badly spotted leaves, improve airflow by spacing plants, and avoid wetting foliage when watering. If problems start early, you can spray an approved copper-based fungicide according to the label, repeating as directed during periods of high humidity.

How often should I water Vicia faba during the main growing phase, and how do I know the soil moisture is right?

During flowering and pod set (roughly mid-season through most of the 75-day crop), keep the soil evenly moist—typically about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 1–2 deeper waterings. Let the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of soil dry slightly between waterings, but don’t allow the soil to dry out for long stretches because fava plants will drop flowers and stunt pod development. Mulch lightly to reduce moisture swings, especially in full sun.

How can I tell when Vicia faba (Leidse Hangdown) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the pods are firm, plump, and filled, usually around 75 days from sowing. For green-shelling favas, pick when seeds are swollen but still tender and the pod is bright and green; for dry beans, leave pods to dry on the plant until the pods turn papery and the seeds rattle. Check a few pods at different heights because ripening can vary across the plant.