Green Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris
Family: Fabaceae
Green Bean grows in full sun and prefers fertile, loose, well-drained soil. Water needs: Moderate; maintain even moisture especially during flowering and pod development.
Photo Gallery
Plant reference images showing growth stages and identifying features.
Photo info
Photo info
Photo info
How to Grow Green Bean
Green Bean growing information includes sunlight requirements of Full sun, soil conditions listed as Fertile, loose, well-drained soil with a soil pH of 6.0-7.0, and Moderate; maintain even moisture especially during flowering and pod development water needs. The listed hardiness zones are 2-11 as an annual crop. For propagation reference, the database lists germination or establishment information for Green Bean as 7-14 days, with planting or establishment depth listed as 1-1.5 inches. Days to maturity are listed as 45-70 days depending on variety.
Plant Overview
Green Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is listed in the Fabaceae family and categorized as a vegetable with an annual life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Easy.
- Plant ID
- PLT-0029
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Plant type
- Vegetable
- Life cycle
- Annual
- Alternate names
- Snap bean; string bean; common bean
- Growth habit
- Warm-season bush or climbing vine producing edible pods
- Mature height
- Bush types 1-2 ft; pole types commonly 6-10 ft
- Mature spread
- Bush types about 1-2 ft; climbing types require vertical support
- Difficulty
- Easy
Growing Conditions
Green Bean is listed for full sun conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate; maintain even moisture especially during flowering and pod development. The database soil reference is Fertile, loose, well-drained soil. The listed soil pH range is 6.0-7.0, and the listed hardiness range is 2-11 as an annual crop.
- Hardiness zones
- 2-11 as an annual crop
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil
- Fertile, loose, well-drained soil
- Soil pH
- 6.0-7.0
- Water needs
- Moderate; maintain even moisture especially during flowering and pod development
- Plant spacing
- Bush beans 3-6 in apart; pole beans about 4-6 in apart with support
Seed & Germination
For seed starting, the listed germination time is 7-14 days and the seed depth is 1-1.5 inches. The listed time to maturity is 45-70 days depending on variety. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.
- Germination
- 7-14 days
- Germination temperature
- 60-85°F; best germination in warm soil around 70-80°F
- Seed depth
- 1-1.5 inches
- Sowing method
- Direct sow outdoors after frost danger has passed and soil has warmed
- Start indoors
- Usually not recommended because beans dislike root disturbance
- Transplanting
- If started in containers, transplant young plants carefully without disturbing roots
Harvest & Propagation
- Days to maturity
- 45-70 days depending on variety
- Harvest
- Pick pods while tender and before seeds become overly developed; frequent harvesting encourages continued production
- Propagation
- Seed
- Seed saving
- Allow healthy pods to mature and dry completely on the plant, then shell and store dry seeds
- Pollination
- Primarily self-pollinating; insects may visit flowers
Garden Information
- Common pests
- Bean beetles, aphids, spider mites, leafhoppers, cutworms
- Common diseases
- Bean rust, anthracnose, bacterial blight, mosaic viruses, root rot
- Uses
- Fresh eating, steaming, sautéing, canning, freezing, pickling
Related Plants
Find, buy, swap, or sell Green Bean
One World One Seed connects this plant profile to community sellers, plant swaps, storefronts, and participating garden retailers.
Growing Reference Note
Plant performance can vary with climate, soil, weather, cultivar, seed quality, and gardening methods. The values on this page are general database reference ranges rather than a substitute for local extension guidance or seed-packet instructions.