Cherokee Trail of Tears
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Cherokee Trail of Tears'
A sacred heirloom bean carried by Cherokee people during their forced relocation in the 1830s, preserving both history and exceptional flavor. These beautiful purple-black beans produce abundantly and are prized for their rich, meaty texture and deep, complex flavor that improves with cooking. A living piece of American history that connects modern gardeners to indigenous agricultural traditions.
Harvest
85-95d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Cherokee Trail of Tears in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 bean →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Cherokee Trail of Tears · 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 | September – 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
Fresh pods should be used within 3-4 days when stored in the refrigerator in perforated bags. However, Cherokee Trail of Tears beans truly shine as dried beans. After harvest, ensure beans are completely dry before storage—any residual moisture leads to mold and spoilage.
Store dried beans in airtight containers in a cool, dark location. Glass jars, food-grade buckets, or sealed mylar bags work well. Properly stored dried beans maintain peak flavor for 2-3 years, though they remain edible much longer. For long-term storage, place containers in the freezer for 48 hours to eliminate any potential weevil eggs.
Freezing fresh beans works well after blanching for 3 minutes, though the texture becomes softer. These beans are excellent candidates for traditional Native American preservation methods like drying whole pods and storing them in baskets or clay vessels.
History & Origin
Origin: Tropical America
Advantages
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Corn
Provides natural trellis structure for climbing beans in Three Sisters method
Squash
Ground cover that retains moisture and suppresses weeds in Three Sisters planting
Marigold
Repels Mexican bean beetles and other harmful insects
Nasturtium
Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters bean beetles
Radish
Loosens soil for bean roots and deters cucumber beetles
Carrots
Different root depths prevent competition and carrots help loosen soil
Cucumber
Benefits from nitrogen fixed by beans, compatible growth habits
Summer Savory
Repels bean beetles and may improve bean flavor and growth
Keep Apart
Onion
Inhibits bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions
Garlic
Stunts bean growth and interferes with beneficial soil bacteria
Fennel
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, typical of heirloom pole beans
Common Pests
Bean beetles, aphids, spider mites
Diseases
Bacterial blight, anthracnose, rust