How to grow a lentil plant

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Freshly harvested lentil pods. Getty Images

Lentils are a legume and a member of the bean family, Fabaceae. Like peas and beans, the lentils themselves are the seeds of the lentil plant and are produced in pods, with up to three (but usually two) lentils per pod. Lentil plants have a sprawling habit and grow to around 40-50cm in height, with slender branched stems clothed with narrow green leaves. Small flowers, borne in summer, are pale blue, white, or pink. While rarely practical to grow lentils as a crop in the garden, they make a fun curiosity to try. Indoors, grow lentils as sprouting seeds for a speedy nutritious crop to add to salads and soups.

Can I grow lentils in the UK?

While lentils are grown as a commercial crop in the UK, they are impractical for home gardeners as they are time consuming and fiddly to harvest. The organic gardening charity Garden Organic conducted a lentil growing trial, where participants grew two types of lentil in their vegetable plots and allotments. Most achieved a reasonable crop compared with commercially grown lentils, but all found the harvest difficult, and nearly all growers said they wouldn't bother to grow them again. Lentils work commercially because they can be grown in large fields, harvested and then separated from their pods by machines. In the home trial, with one pod containing two to three lentils, it was concluded that the time taken to harvest the lentils outweighed the advantages of eating them.

However, if you are determined to grow lentils and are willing to take on the challenge of a fiddly harvesting process, there's no reason why you shouldn't try to grow your own lentils. Crops can be as high per square metre as those grown commercially, but make sure you grow varieties suitable to the UK climate – if you sow shop-bought lentils you are unlikely to get a decent yield.

Alternatively, a quick and easy way to grow lentils at home is to simply sprout them indoors to eat in salads, soups and sandwiches after just a few days.

Where to grow lentils

Young lentil plants growing outside. Getty Images

Grow lentils in a sunny, open site in good soil – heavy clay soils may be too wet and could lead to the plants rotting. If growing lentils as a seed sprout, grow indoors on a warm, well-lit windowsill, in a jar or a seed sprouter.

How to plant lentils

Sow under cover in late winter or outside from mid-spring – the Garden Organic trial concluded that heavier yields were achieved from an early April sowing.

If sowing undercover, sow lentils in modular trays, with two to three seeds per module. Grow on in warmth and harden off before planting outside after all risk of frost has passed.

If sowing direct outside, sow seeds 3-4cm deep in rows 30cm apart. Aim to plant 8-10g of lentils per square metre.

How to care for lentils

Lentil plants have a sprawling habit and can reach heights of 40-50cm. If lack of space means it is necessary to restrict growth, stake the young plants with twiggy pea sticks or canes and string, so the growth develops in a more upright manner. Water during dry spells and harvest when the pods turn brown.

How to grow lentils as sprouting seed

Either use a seed sprouter or make your own using a large clean glass jar and punch a few holes in the lid.

1. Part-fill the jar with lentils, cover with water, and put in a warm place to soak for 8-12 hours

2. Drain and rinse thoroughly with water, then stand the container in a warm dark place for 24 hours. Continue to rinse and drain the lentils two to three times a day

3. Move the lentils to a well-lit position such as a windowsill. Continue rinsing and draining regularly

4. When the sprouts are large enough to eat, remove from the container, rinse again, and use in sandwiches, salads, or as a garnish

Pests and diseases

Lentils are susceptible to a number of diseases including powdery and downy mildew, mosaic viruses, and types of rot. Good growing conditions help avert problems, including getting the balance of watering right so that the soil is evenly moist but not too wet, or too dry.

Advice on buying lentils

Whole lentils sold for culinary use can be sown and grown, although may not perform well in the UK climate
For the best chance of success, buy seed lentils that are sold as suitable for UK growing, such as varieties ‘Anicia’ and ‘Flora’ seed which are likely to perform best in the British climate