Borlotto Bush Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Borlotto'
An Italian heirloom treasure that produces stunning speckled pods streaked with red and cream, making it as ornamental as it is delicious. Also known as cranberry beans, these dual-purpose beauties can be harvested young as tender snap beans or left to mature for plump, flavorful shelling beans perfect for Italian cuisine.
Harvest
60-70d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Borlotto Bush Bean in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 bean →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Borlotto Bush Bean · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | June – July | August – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 6 | — | — | May – June | August – September |
| Zone 7 | — | — | April – June | July – September |
| Zone 8 | — | — | April – May | July – August |
| Zone 9 | — | — | March – April | June – July |
| Zone 10 | — | — | February – April | May – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: 'Rattlesnake'Pole Snap Bean, 'Rattlesnake'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The boat-shaped seed pods are bilaterally symmetrical and can be green, yellow, white, or purple at maturity. There is a wide variety of color and shape choices among cultivars.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Purple/Lavender, White. Type: Legume. Length: > 3 inches. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible, Good Dried
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Storage & Preservation
Fresh snap bean pods keep 4-5 days in the refrigerator in a perforated plastic bag. Don't wash until ready to use. Fresh shelling beans can be stored in their pods in the refrigerator for up to one week, or shell immediately and refrigerate the beans for 3-4 days.
For freezing fresh shelling beans, blanch shelled beans in boiling water for 2 minutes, then plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in portions. They'll maintain quality for 8-10 months.
To dry beans completely, leave pods on plants until papery, then harvest and shell. Spread beans on screens in a warm, dry area for 2-3 weeks until they can't be dented with a fingernail. Store dried Borlotti beans in airtight containers in a cool, dark place—they'll keep for years. These dried beans are perfect for traditional Italian dishes like pasta e fagioli and are considered superior to most commercial varieties for their creamy texture and nutty flavor.
History & Origin
Origin: Tropical America
Advantages
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and thrips while potentially improving bean flavor
Marigold
Deters Mexican bean beetles and nematodes with natural compounds
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Carrots
Beans fix nitrogen for carrots while carrots loosen soil for bean roots
Lettuce
Provides ground cover to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Radish
Quick-growing radishes break up soil and are harvested before beans need space
Summer Savory
Repels bean beetles and may enhance bean growth and flavor
Corn
Provides windbreak protection and benefits from nitrogen fixed by beans
Keep Apart
Onions
Can inhibit bean growth through allelopathic compounds in root zone
Fennel
Releases chemicals that stunt growth of beans and most other vegetables
Sunflowers
Allelopathic compounds inhibit bean germination and growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346400)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good general disease resistance
Common Pests
Bean fly, aphids, spider mites, bean seed fly
Diseases
Halo blight, common bacterial blight, bean rust