Green Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris · Vegetable

A productive warm-season crop available in compact bush and tall climbing forms. Beans sprout fast in warm soil and crop heavily if picked often. Pole types give more per square foot; bush types are quicker and need no support.

💧WaterAbout 1 in per week (estimated)

☀️LightFull sun, 6–8 hours

🐾PetsNot toxic

Care at a glance

Light: Full sun, 6–8 hours a day
Water: About 1 in per week, at the base
Soil: Well-drained, moderately rich, pH 6.0–7.0
Temperature: Best 65–85 °F; seeds rot in soil below 60 °F
Spacing: Bush 3–4 in, pole 6 in; rows 18–30 in apart
Container: At least 2 gallons (bush) or 5 gallons (pole), 8 in deep
Harvest: Bush 50–60 days, pole 60–70 days from sowing (estimated)
Lifespan: Annual

When?

Sow outdoors after the last frost, once the soil has warmed to about 60 °F. Sow bush beans every 2–3 weeks until midsummer for a longer harvest (estimated).

Step by step

Wait for warm soil; sowing too early is the most common cause of failure.
Sow seeds 1 in deep directly in the bed.
Put up poles, a teepee or netting before sowing climbing types.
Keep soil moist until seedlings emerge, then water at the base.
Mulch once plants are a few inches tall to hold moisture.
Avoid working among the plants when leaves are wet; it spreads disease.
Pick pods young and slim, every 2–3 days.
Leave roots in the ground after the season to return nitrogen to the soil.

Common problems

Seeds fail to come upCold, wet soil; wait for warmer weather and sow again.

Flowers drop without podsVery hot weather or dry soil; water evenly and mulch.

Holes in leavesBean beetles or slugs; hand-pick pests and use row covers early on.

Tough, stringy podsPicked too late; harvest more often while pods are slender.

Pets

Green bean plants are not listed as toxic for cats or dogs. Dry, raw beans should not be eaten by people or pets. If in doubt, ask your vet.

Similar plants

Pea Cucumber Zucchini

Sources

ASPCA — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

This page is general guidance; no pesticide doses are given.