Diversity Fava Bean Seeds

Diversity Fava Bean Seeds - Vicia faba - Broad Bean Seeds

Vicia faba
Broad Bean Seeds

Hardy to Zone 7, possibly colder
Full Sun
Germination Tested September 10, 2025: 94%

Approximately 15 seeds per packet

$5.50 CAD

Sale Sold out

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These fava beans are a beautiful mix of many varieties that were gifted or traded with friends over the years. Previously called "Andean Rainbow", I've renamed these this year to to "Diversity" to reflect the diverse origins of these seeds. Fava beans originated in the fertile crescent, probably being the oldest crop in cultivation. They were eventually brought over to South America where farmers cultivated a huge diversity in colours and patterns. This mix is a celebration of diversity, generosity, and the gratitude for the many generations of seed stewards who protected and shared these seeds.

Some beans in each packet will be crossed with one another, so each bean you grow out will be unique. Neat traits will keep popping up over generations of growing this mix out. Select the ones you love and keep planting them. This could be the start of many new fava bean varieties!

Proceeds from these packets until November 15 will go to Guelph for Palestine’s Seeds of Solidarity Farmer Funding Drive to raise funds for farmers in Sudan and Gaza.

Known varieties include:

- The very rare Atahualpa’s (Atawallpa’s) fingerprint (also called Ur Kupina). This is a beautiful ancient landrace variety named after the last Incan emperor, who was killed by Spanish colonizers. The seeds have mesmerizing spiral patterns. I’ve been working to adapt this variety to our winters: I only had a few plants survive a brutal winter a few years ago, and the resulting seeds are mostly from these plants.

- Red Cheeked Fava. When fresh, these beans have a light green or tan background with a vibrant red “cheek”. Both this variety and the one above were purchased by my friend Peter of Diverse Garden from markets in Peru.

- Extra Precoce A Grano Violetto, sent to me by my friend Jolene of Short Season Seeds in northern BC. They come in various shades of purple, and are extra early and cold tolerant. Long pods contain 6 or 7 beans each.

Fava beans were also contributed by Good Earth Farms, Homestead Culture, Pflanzenshätze, & Going to Seed.

To harvest, shell the beans when fresh, then steam and serve with butter and salt. Or dry the beans and use in soups throughout the winter. Favas also make great hummous!

Growing Instructions

Fava beans are cold-tolerant. Direct sow in late winter/early spring (Feb-April). Sow about 1" deep. Or start indoors and transplant out in early spring. Or try direct sowing in fall (Sept-Nov on the south coast of BC), but some plants might not survive the cold depending on your conditions.

Harvest the pods as they fill out and start to droop down. The growing shoots are edible and delicious as well. For dried beans, let the pods shrivel before picking.

Shipping & Returns

By placing an order, customers agree to the shipping policies detailed on this page.

Shipping within Canada

We ship seeds via Canada Post within Canada for $6 to $8 depending on weight.

We ship seeds in Canada via regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-3 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally orders take longer, especially to the Eastern provinces and rural areas.

Customers can now opt for tracked, express shipping options at checkout if you require faster delivery.

Larger bulbs and plants are usually sent via tracked flat rate box.

Shipping to the US

We require all US shoppers to obtain a Small Seed Lot Import Permit before we can mail your seeds. It's free to apply, and you will likely be granted the permit instantly, although some require additional verification via mail. We appreciate if you can email us your permit as soon as you can after your purchase.

If you do not email us your permit documents after one week, we will refund your order minus a $10 processing charge.

How to apply for your Small Seed Lot Import Permit:

Please follow these instructions carefully so you don't end up with the wrong type of permit!
Go to https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/
Select PPQ-587 in the dropdown menu and click "Get Started".
Login and follow the instructions to obtain a permit.
Under the Commodity Type drop down, make sure you select the "Small Lots of Seed". See screenshot below.
It's best to list "Eligible Taxa" instead of listing all the species you'd like to import so you don't need to worry about missing any species you ordered.
Once you receive your permit, promptly email us 2 documents: a copy of your permit and a copy of the yellow/green shipping labels. Tell us which USDA station you want us to send the seeds to. If not mentioned we will choose one. Our email is grow@cicadaseeds.ca
We are not able to send any pepper or tomato seeds, or any live plant materials to the US due to restrictions.

Need help? Contact the APHIS plant permit team at:

EMAIL: plantproducts.permits@usda.gov

PHONE: 877-770-5990

What happens next?

After receiving your documentation, we will mail your seeds to an inspection facility in the US. We will ship via tracked parcel, and you will receive the tracking number when your order has shipped. Orders will be mailed first to a plant inspection facility in the US, then they forward the package on to your address after inspection. Tracking is only available to the inspection facility, not to your address.

The mail and inspection process can take several weeks, depending on how long the inspection takes. Unfortunately we are not able to replace packages that are confiscated or destroyed by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.

Shipping Internationally

International customers can select tracked or untracked shipping at checkout. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. We are not able to send any live plant materials internationally. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held or confiscated by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.

International shipping countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.

This list may change without notice. Sometimes Canada Post will not allow us to ship to certain countries due to wars or natural disasters, see this page for delivery service alerts: https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/our-company/news-and-media/service-alerts.page

Please reach out if your country is not on this list, email us and we will try to arrange an alternate shipping option.