Customer Service Hours
Mon-Fri 8-4 MST
Features
Family
Fabaceae
Native
Mexico and South America
Life Cycle
Annual
Plant Height
Vine
Further Information
Plant Characteristics
Attracts Hummingbirds
Growing Conditions
Frost Sensitive
About ["Runner Bean", "Shelling Bean"]
Phaseolus coccineus
When young, 4"–6" long, flattened, dark green; used as snap bean. When mature, up to 12" long pods used for shelling.
Planting ["Runner Bean", "Shelling Bean"]
Plant Spacing
1 seed every 6"
Hardiness Zones
10, 11, 12, 13
Light Required
Full sun
Plant Height
Vine
Planting Depth
1"
Coverage & Planting Details
| Coverage | This packet sows up to 10 feet or one 4-foot diameter teepee. See inside packet for instructions on how to build a bean teepee. |
|---|---|
| Row Spacing | 36" |
| Seed Depth | 1" |
| Seed Spacing | 1 seed every 6" |
| Thinning | Not required |
| Germination | 6 – 12 days |
| Start Indoors | Not recommended; bean seedlings are sensitive to root disturbance. |
| Direct Sow | RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 65°F, ideally 70°–85°F. Successive Sowings: Every 7 to 14 days up to 80 days before your average first fall frost date. NOTE: In very hot summer areas, skip sowing as high heat approaches; temperatures consistently above 90°F will prevent beans from forming. |
| Growing & Harvesting | Snap beans are ready to pick when the pod "snaps" or breaks in half cleanly. This is when seeds have just begun to form and the pods are several inches long (depending on the variety). Hold stem with one hand and the pod with the other hand to avoid pulling off branches, which will continue to produce. Harvesting early and often will stimulate flower production for more beans. At season's end, plants are great compost material if they are disease-free. |
Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone
Average First Frost Date
October 19
Average Last Frost Date
May 19
Your Hardiness Zone is
5b
Send Your Recommendation
Total 5 star reviews: 24 Total 4 star reviews: 2 Total 3 star reviews: 3 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 2
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Rating
Which best describes you as a gardener?
31 reviews
- Kevin R. S.Verified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars9/1/25Wonderful, but slow to form beans
I have grown these for many years now in Wheat Ridge, Co. Planted seeds in late May. It is always slow to form beans. Usually mid to even late August. Great flowers all season long and attracts pollinators including humming birds. Flowers and beans taste excellent!
BIBotanical Interests9/2/25Hey Kevin,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful long-term experience with our Scarlet Emperor Pole Runner Bean Seeds! We absolutely love hearing from gardeners like you who have grown these beauties for many years - that kind of loyalty really speaks to how special this variety is!
It's so helpful that you mentioned the timing on bean formation because you're absolutely right - these gorgeous climbing beans do take their time to get to the harvest stage, but wow, what a show they put on while you're waiting! Those stunning scarlet flowers blooming all season long really do create the most beautiful vertical display, and how amazing that they're attracting hummingbirds to your Wheat Ridge garden! There's nothing quite like having flowers that feed both the pollinators and the hummers while also eventually providing you with delicious edible blooms and beans.
We're so thrilled to hear that both the flowers and beans taste excellent - that's exactly what makes this heirloom variety such a treasure for gardeners who appreciate both beauty and flavor in their growing spaces! Thank you for sharing those helpful growing details about your Colorado timing too - other gardeners in similar climates will really appreciate knowing what to expect! Keep on growing 🌻️
- GraceVerified ReviewerRated 1 out of 5 stars7/24/25No beans
For some reason, I planted four, none got beans, only flowers keeps coming out. Maybe bugs don’t like the color of flowers? Had to pull them out after two months.
BIBotanical Interests7/25/25Hey Grace,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Bethany P.CA, United StatesVerified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars7/10/25Monarch butterflies love it!
This is a rapidly growing vine. I pick the beans young and add them to salads. The bright flowers are beautiful. And the monarch butterflies seem to love them! I see them on these flowers regularly! The fact that this plant is beautiful AND produces food AND attracts my favorite pollinator makes this a definite keeper! It's supposed to be perennial where I live, so we'll see. If it doesn't survive the winter I will definitely plant it next year!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Raised BedBIBotanical Interests7/24/25Hey Bethany,
This is absolutely AMAZING! We love hearing about all the wonderful ways you're enjoying your Scarlet Emperor beans - from adding them to salads to watching the monarchs visit those gorgeous bright flowers. It sounds like you've found the perfect triple-threat plant! We're excited to hear how they do through the winter for you. Thank you so much for sharing this fantastic review! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Marcene S.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars2/5/255 Stars
I planted these last season. Took no pictures. They grew as expected and we had beautiful beans for ourselves and neighbors.
- June H.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars11/19/245 Stars
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Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate