How to Grow Borlotto Bean
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Borlotto Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris
vegetableBorlotto beans are a Italian heirloom variety of common bean prized for their creamy texture and nutty flavor when cooked. They feature distinctive burgundy and cream-colored mottled pods and seeds, making them attractive both in the garden and on the plate. These bushy or climbing varieties are versatile, productive, and excellent for fresh eating or dry storage.
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Example Borlotto Bean timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Borlotto Bean
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Borlotto Bean
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Borlotto Bean dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-4 with proper timing
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Get my Borlotto Bean timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
10-14 daysSeeds sprout within 7-10 days; cotyledons emerge followed by first true leaves
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; ensure warm soil temperature (60°F minimum, 70°F ideal); provide full sun once sprouted
Vegetative Growth
20-30 daysPlant develops robust foliage with multiple compound leaves; bush varieties become bushy, pole varieties begin climbing
Provide support structures for pole varieties early; maintain consistent watering and avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers that promote foliage over flowers
Flowering
10-20 daysSmall white, pink, or purple flowers appear in clusters along the stems
Maintain regular watering as flowers are setting; avoid overhead watering to protect blossoms; pollination occurs by bees and wind
Pod Development & Fresh Harvest
15-25 daysPods begin filling out with developing beans inside; pods are tender and edible as snap beans; mottled pattern becomes visible
Pick pods regularly when 3-4 inches long for tender fresh borlotti; consistent harvesting encourages more flowering and production
Seed Maturation & Dry Harvest
30-40 days after floweringPods mature, dry on the plant, develop full color pattern (burgundy and cream mottling); beans inside fully mature and hard
Allow pods to dry completely on plant in warm weather; harvest when pods are brittle and pods split easily when bent; cure dried beans indoors
Common Pests
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Hand-pick beetles and egg clusters; use row covers early; apply neem oil or spinosad if infestation occurs
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Spray with strong water stream; introduce beneficial insects; use insecticidal soap if severe
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Increase humidity with regular watering; use miticide spray if needed; remove heavily infested leaves
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Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur dust or fungicide spray early
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Remove infected leaves; ensure good spacing for airflow; apply sulfur spray; avoid wetting foliage
Uses
Creamy Risotto & Pasta
CulinaryBorlotto beans are prized in Italian cuisine for their creamy texture that breaks down slightly when cooked, making them ideal for risotto, minestrone soup, and pasta dishes. Fresh or dried borlotti add nutty flavor and contribute to traditional Italian comfort food recipes. [source]
Fresh Snap & Shell Beans
CulinaryYoung borlotto pods can be eaten whole as snap beans, or pods can be opened to remove tender immature beans for cooking fresh. The fresh beans have a delicate flavor superior to mature dried beans for quick cooking. [source]
Dry Storage & Winter Protein
CulinaryMature dried borlotto beans store for 1+ years in cool, dry conditions, providing reliable plant-based protein rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates. They're essential for long-term food security and winter meal planning. [source]
Ornamental Garden Display
HouseholdThe distinctive burgundy and cream-mottled pods and seeds are visually striking in the garden and can be dried for decorative displays, seed catalogs, or educational purposes. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeBean flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity while improving production through natural pollination. [source]
Harvest Tips
For fresh eating: pick pods when 3-4 inches long and still tender (snap stage), typically 50-60 days from planting. For dry beans: allow pods to remain on plant until completely dry and brittle (85-100 days), then shell and dry indoors for 1-2 weeks before storage. Harvest regularly when green to encourage continued flowering.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Borlotto beans are also called 'Cranberry beans' in some regions due to their burgundy coloring, and they originated in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy where they remain a culinary staple.
- 🌱 Borlotto beans, like all legumes, form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil, naturally enriching the soil so that subsequent crops require less supplemental nitrogen.
- 🌱 The mottled pod pattern is hereditary; if you save seeds from your best plants, the next generation will maintain the distinctive burgundy and cream coloring, making borlotti an excellent heirloom variety for seed saving.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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