Common Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris
Also known as
French Bean, Green Bean, Common Haricot, Dwarf Bean, Frash Bean, Garden Bean, Haricot Bean, Kidney Bean, Runner Bean, String Bean, Bean, Black bean, Flageolet bean, Pinto bean
Snijboon peulen Phaseolus vulgaris by Rasbak (CC-BY-SA-3.0)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Tender
H3-H1b
RHS hardiness
-5°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
---|---|---|
1.5m | Max | 50cm |
30cm | Min | 15cm |
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has a mild fragrance
More images of Common Bean
Common Bean Overview
This species grows easily with little maintenance and produces pea-like flowers and an abundance of edible seed pods. They can add nitrogen to the soil, making them ideal plants for organic vegetable gardens. The plants are easily cultivated but are susceptible to several diseases, such as rust, blight, and wilt. Generally, beans are warm-season annuals that grow erect (bush types) or as vines (pole or running types). The seeds contain a lot of protein and so are often used as a meat substitute. There are many different varieties of bean in all kinds of colours and textures that have been derived from the original species.
Common problems with Common Bean
Beans are susceptible to a variety of insects with beetles being the most common; these insects can easily be picked off by hand or sprayed with soapy water. Excessive heat and humidity can cause a variety of disease problems in beans.
Common Bean Companion Plants
How to harvest Common Bean
Beans are picked at an immature stage when the seeds inside have not yet fully developed. Look for firm, sizable pods and snap or cut off the plant. Do not tear the plant.
How to propagate Common Bean
Seed
Plant seeds during the Spring after the last frost. Sow 5cm deep and 5-10cm apart directly in the bed. Thin bush beans to 10cm apart. Thin pole beans to 15cm apart and provide a structure to train up.
Special features of Common Bean
Attractive flowers
Attracts bees
Crop rotation
Beans are legumes and so enrich the soil with Nitrogen.
Other uses of Common Bean
Culinary, vegetable, food
Edible
Green Beans are high in Vitamin C and fibre. They can be eaten fresh in salads or eaten as a cooked vegetable.