How to Grow Runner Beans
Phaseolus coccineus
Runner beans are warm-season climbers for full sun and rich, moisture-retentive but free-draining soil. Erect a tall bean frame before planting and sow after frost (or start in modules). Keep even watering, especially at flowering and pod set—dry spells or cold snaps reduce set. Mulch to hold moisture, and feed during heavy cropping. Encourage pollinators; in poor conditions, gently hand-pollinate by brushing flowers. Pick little and often while pods are young to extend the season.
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 11°C.
Don't know your frost date? Find it here →
Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Rarely needed — fix their own nitrogen. Mulch well and keep soil moist.
- Need tall supports (2m+). Mist flowers in hot weather to aid pollination. Soak seeds overnight before sowing.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 11°C+
- Germination temperature
- 12–22°C
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 18 cm |
| Row spacing | 50 cm |
| Sow depth | 5 cm |
| Mature height | 250 cm |
| Mature spread | 30 cm |
Space seeds along a support structure (like a teepee or A-frame). The row spacing is the path between support rows.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Black Bean Aphid (Blackfly)
Identification: Dense clusters of black aphids on growing tips and flower stems; sticky honeydew; sooty mould; distorted shoot tips
- Pinch out the top 10cm of each plant once it reaches the top of its support — this removes the soft growth blackfly prefer
- Spray with insecticidal soap, targeting colonies directly
- Encourage ladybirds, hoverflies, and lacewings
- Spray with a contact insecticide containing pyrethrins; avoid spraying open flowers to protect pollinators
Pest Slugs and Snails
Identification: Seedlings eaten off at ground level overnight; ragged holes in young leaves; slime trails around plants
- Apply organic slug pellets (ferric phosphate based) around newly planted seedlings
- Hand-pick at dusk; use beer traps
- Protect individual plants with cut plastic bottles as cloches
- Apply ferric phosphate slug pellets around vulnerable plants
Pest Red Spider Mite
Identification: Fine stippling on upper leaf surfaces; leaves turn bronze and dry; fine webbing visible between leaves in severe infestations
- Mist plants regularly to raise humidity — mites dislike moist conditions
- Introduce the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis under cover
- Spray with insecticidal soap
- Spray with a miticide or fatty acid-based product
Disease Halo Blight Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola
Symptoms: Dark spots surrounded by a yellow halo on leaves; water-soaked lesions on pods; greasy-looking patches on stems
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected plants; do not save seed from infected crops
Prevention: Use certified disease-free seed; avoid working among wet plants; rotate beans on a 3-year cycle; do not compost infected material
Disease Rust Uromyces appendiculatus
Symptoms: Small, dark brown or orange-brown raised pustules on leaves and stems; leaves yellow and drop prematurely in severe cases
Treatment: Remove badly affected leaves; improve air circulation; apply a sulphur-based fungicide
Prevention: Space plants well for airflow; avoid overhead watering; rotate crops; clear plant debris at end of season
Disease Grey Mould (Botrytis) Botrytis cinerea
Symptoms: Fuzzy grey mould on flowers, pods, and damaged stems; soft, brown rotting patches; flowers may fail to set pods
Treatment: Remove affected plant parts promptly; improve air circulation
Prevention: Avoid overcrowding; ensure good ventilation; remove spent flowers; water at the base
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 11°C |
| Germination temperature | 12–22°C |
| Base growth temperature | 10°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 10.5h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Runner Beans?
- Plant Runner Beans 18cm apart with 50cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Runner Beans?
- Runner Beans is ready to harvest approximately 60 days after transplanting.
- Is Runner Beans frost hardy?
- Runner Beans is classified as Tender.
