Vicia faba 'Luna'

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Moonlit and richly rewarding, Vicia faba ‘Luna’ brings a velvety, deep-green pod that feels substantial in the hand and opens to reveal tender, pale-ivory beans with a subtly sweet, garden-fresh flavor.

The texture is creamy and smooth when cooked, with a gentle bite that holds its shape beautifully for classic fava preparations. Grow ‘Luna’ for a long, steady harvest window—an elegant, old-world favorite that turns the vegetable bed into a living treasure.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Vicia faba 'Luna'

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 29th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

“Luna” favas cook up creamy and pale with a controlled bite, so they stay elegant in warm preparations instead of turning grainy. Treat them like a short-season luxury: quick heat, sharp acid (lemon), and salty fat (olive oil, bacon, or cheese) make the sweetness read clean and bright.

Best Uses

quickly blanched then peeled beans for a lemony fava-style sauté
buttery braise or stovetop stew to let them go plush without collapsing
blistered/charred favas as a warm salad base with acidic dressing
pureed fava dip/spread for a silky, spoonable texture

Flavor Profile

subtly sweet, garden-fresh flavor creamy, smooth when cooked tender beans with a gentle bite green, slightly grassy snap

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil garlic fresh mint parmesan bacon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Vicia faba (fava bean), and what should I do?

Fava beans are commonly hit by chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae), which shows up as dark brown spots on leaves that can spread in cool, wet weather. Remove and discard infected leaves early, improve airflow by not crowding plants, and avoid overhead watering so foliage dries quickly. If new spots keep appearing after the first removal, spray a labeled fungicide that targets Botrytis/chocolate spot on beans and follow the label exactly.

How often should I water Vicia faba during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

During flowering and pod fill (the main growing phase through most of the ~95 days), keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for evenly damp soil at about the top 2–3 inches. Water deeply when the surface starts to dry, typically about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and soil, and water at the base to prevent leaf diseases. Mulch lightly to reduce swings between dry and saturated conditions, which can reduce pod set.

How can I tell when Vicia faba 'Luna' is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are plump and the seeds inside have filled out—typically around 95 days from sowing, depending on your weather. Pods should feel firm and look fully colored for the variety, and the seeds will be visibly swollen rather than flat. For the best texture, pick in the cool part of the day and use promptly (they get tough if left too long on the plant).