Runner Beans

Runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus) are a plant in the legume family. Most varieties have red flowers and can be grown for their ornamental features as well as a food source. It produces green beans with a rough skin.

Runner bean seeds can be used fresh or as dried beans, and the pods are eaten whole while young. It is often served as a side dish in Asian cuisines, and as part of a traditional British roast.

Runner beans need a lot of water and nutrients, and will do best outdoors in sunny, sheltered areas with free-draining soil. They may need canes or supports to help them survive windy weather.

They are best sown indoors from April onwards. It’s advisable to plant two seeds per container, and keep the resulting strongest seedling of the two. Outdoor sowing can be done in May to early June, after the risk of frost has subsided.

You can harvest the beans from July to early October when the bean pods have fresh green skins and a firm texture, with no spots.

Our planting guides are designed to help you get the best from your fruit, vegetables, and herbs. Every garden is unique, so growing conditions, weather, soil, and climate can affect results. Use this information as a helpful guide, and adapt it to suit your local conditions and gardening experience. Happy growing!