How to Grow Scarlet Runner Bean

Scarlet Runner Bean

Phaseolus coccineus

vine

Scarlet Runner Bean is a vigorous climbing vine prized for its stunning bright red flowers and edible green pods. It grows rapidly and can reach 6-10 feet tall, making it excellent for trellises, arbors, and vertical gardening. The beans are also valued as ornamentals in addition to their culinary use.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water deeply 1-2 inches per week; reduce watering once established and flowering begins

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Spacing: 6-12 inches between plants along trellis inches

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Days to maturity: 70-80 days for tender pods; 100+ days for dried beans

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Planting depth: 1-1.5 inches deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

compost aged manure perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-10; prefers cooler climates and performs best in zones 5-8

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

Growth Stages

Germination & Seedling

2-3 weeks

Seeds sprout within 7-10 days; cotyledons emerge followed by first true leaves

Keep soil warm (65-75°F) and consistently moist; provide strong light or grow lights; thin seedlings if crowded

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Vigorous vining growth with compound leaves; plant climbs and twines around support structure

Install sturdy trellis or support immediately; apply balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks; pinch tips if needed to encourage branching; water regularly

Flowering

3-4 weeks (blooms continue over extended period)

Abundant clusters of brilliant scarlet red flowers appear along the vines; extremely ornamental

Continue regular watering; reduce nitrogen fertilizer to avoid excessive foliage at expense of flowers; ensure good air circulation; flowers attract hummingbirds and bees

Pod Development & Fruiting

4-6 weeks

Flowers give way to long, slender green pods (6-9 inches); pods mature and can be harvested at various stages

Pick pods regularly to encourage continuous production; water consistently; provide light feeding every 2-3 weeks; watch for pests and diseases

Maturation & Harvest

Variable; continues until frost

Pods fully mature; beans inside are plump and visible through pod skin; pods may turn reddish or brown if left unharvested

Harvest tender pods for cooking, or allow pods to fully mature and dry on plant for dried beans; cool-season plants may slow production in extreme heat

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

corn squash cucumber radish turnip carrot marigold nasturtium zinnia

Avoid planting near:

fennel onion garlic leek

Common Pests

Hand-pick beetles and larvae; use row covers early season; spray neem oil or spinosad; encourage parasitic wasps
Use row covers; hand-pick beetles; apply pyrethrin spray; plant later to avoid peak emergence
Increase humidity with regular misting; spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe
Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap; plant companion flowers to attract natural predators
Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; spray with sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate; remove infected leaves

Uses

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Fresh Green Pods

Culinary

Young tender pods are cooked and eaten like string beans, with a slightly nutty flavor and creamy texture. They can be steamed, sautéed, roasted, or added to soups and curries. [source]

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Dried Beans

Culinary

Mature dried beans are used in soups, stews, and rice dishes. They have a rich, slightly sweet flavor and creamy texture when cooked. [source]

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Garden Ornament

Ornamental

The vibrant scarlet flowers bloom prolifically over weeks and are highly attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The vigorous vines quickly cover trellises and structures. [source]

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Nitrogen Fixation

Household

As a legume, Scarlet Runner Beans fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, naturally enriching it for subsequent crops. This makes them excellent for crop rotation and sustainable gardening. [source]

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Traditional Uses

Medicinal

In some traditional medicine systems, bean preparations have been used to support blood sugar regulation and digestive health, though scientific evidence is limited. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest green pods when they are 5-6 inches long, tender, and snap easily (eat like string beans). For dried beans, allow pods to fully mature on the vine until brown and brittle, then pick and shell. Peak harvest is typically 2-3 weeks after flowering begins. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. Young pods taste best; older pods become starchy.

Fun Facts

🌱 Scarlet Runner Beans are native to Mexico and Central America, where they have been cultivated for over 2,000 years in Mesoamerican cultures.
🌱 The plant is extremely productive—a single vine can produce 100+ pods over the growing season, making it one of the most prolific bean varieties.
🌱 Hummingbirds are the primary natural pollinator of Scarlet Runner Beans in their native habitat, and they readily visit the flowers in gardens, making this plant excellent for hummingbird-friendly landscapes.

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