Calypso Bush Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Calypso'
A striking heirloom dry bean featuring distinctive black and white orca-like markings that make it as beautiful as it is delicious. Originally from the Caribbean, this compact bush variety produces abundant pods filled with kidney-shaped beans perfect for soups, stews, and Caribbean dishes. The dramatic two-toned pattern and rich, earthy flavor make Calypso beans a favorite among both gardeners and chefs.
Harvest
95-100d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Calypso Bush Bean in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 bean →Zone Map
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Calypso Bush Bean · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | June – July | October – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | June – July | October – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 6 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 7 | — | — | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 8 | — | — | April – May | August – September |
| Zone 9 | — | — | March – April | July – August |
| Zone 10 | — | — | February – April | June – August |
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
Store properly dried Calypso beans in airtight containers in a cool, dark location where they'll remain viable for 2-3 years. Ideal storage conditions are 32-50°F with low humidity. Glass jars, sealed plastic containers, or mylar bags work well for home storage.
For long-term storage, freeze beans for 48 hours before transferring to containers to eliminate any potential insect eggs. Add bay leaves or diatomaceous earth to storage containers as natural pest deterrents.
Preserve cooked Calypso beans by pressure canning using tested recipes—their dense texture holds up excellently to canning. Alternatively, cook and freeze portions in freezer bags for up to 8 months. Avoid freezing raw beans as this damages their cellular structure and affects cooking quality.
History & Origin
Origin: Tropical America
Advantages
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Marigold
Repels bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels bean beetles
Carrots
Loosen soil for bean root development, different root depths reduce competition
Radishes
Break up compacted soil, mature quickly before beans need space
Corn
Provides natural trellis support, beans fix nitrogen for corn's benefit
Summer Squash
Large leaves provide ground cover and moisture retention, part of Three Sisters planting
Cucumber
Compatible growth habits, beans provide nitrogen while cucumbers utilize different soil nutrients
Rosemary
Repels bean beetles and carrot flies, aromatic oils deter various pests
Keep Apart
Onions
Inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions
Garlic
Stunts bean growth and interferes with beneficial rhizobia bacteria
Fennel
Allelopathic compounds inhibit germination and growth of beans
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 tolerance
Common Pests
Mexican bean beetle, bean leaf beetle, aphids
Diseases
Bacterial blight, anthracnose, white mold