How to Grow Borlotti Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris
Borlotti beans are beautiful Italian shell beans with distinctive red-speckled pods. They need warm soil and a long season — sow after last frost or start indoors. Provide climbing support (2m canes or netting) for climbing varieties. Water well during flowering. Harvest fresh for shelling when pods are colourful and plump, or leave to dry on the plant for winter storage. A rewarding dual-purpose crop.
When to Start
Start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 10°C and soil has warmed to at least 12°C.
Don't know your frost date? Find it here →
Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Rarely needed — beans fix their own nitrogen. A light compost mulch at planting is sufficient.
- A dual-purpose bean — excellent fresh-shelled or dried for winter soups. Needs a long warm season. Start indoors in cooler climates.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 12°C+
- Germination temperature
- 12–30°C
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
Want your full season plan with reminders? Try Leaftide free
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 15 cm |
| Row spacing | 45 cm |
| Sow depth | 4 cm |
| Mature height | 200 cm |
| Mature spread | 30 cm |
Climbing varieties need support with canes or netting. Dwarf varieties can be grown without support at closer spacing.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Black Bean Aphid
Identification: Dense colonies of black insects on shoot tips and young pods
- Pinch out infested tips
- Spray with water
- Encourage ladybirds
- Fatty acid sprays
Pest Slugs
Identification: Seedlings eaten at ground level, slime trails visible
- Beer traps
- Copper tape
- Evening patrols
- Ferric phosphate pellets
Disease Halo Blight Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola
Symptoms: Dark spots surrounded by a yellow halo on leaves. Water-soaked spots on pods.
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected plants. Do not save seed from infected crops.
Prevention: Use certified disease-free seed. Avoid overhead watering. Do not work among wet plants.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 12°C |
| Germination temperature | 12–30°C |
| Base growth temperature | 10°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 11h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Borlotti Bean?
- Plant Borlotti Bean 15cm apart with 45cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Borlotti Bean?
- Borlotti Bean is ready to harvest approximately 70 days after transplanting.
- Is Borlotti Bean frost hardy?
- Borlotti Bean is classified as Tender.
