Heirloom

Dragon's Tongue

Phaseolus vulgaris

Wikimedia Commons

Avg. 6-6 1/2" flat pods are pale yellow with purple streaks. They are tender, sweet, and good in salads or cooked. Purple disappears upon cooking. Tan seeds with dark speckles. Bush bean.

Harvest

57d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

18-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Dragon's Tongue in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Dragon's Tongue · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing4-6 inches between plants, 18-24 inches between rows

SoilWell-drained loam enriched with compost; avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizers

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; soil should remain evenly moist but not waterlogged

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorTender, sweet, buttery with subtle richness; excellent fresh or lightly cooked

ColorPale yellow with deep purple streaks

Size6-6 1/2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	—	—	July – August	September – August
Zone 2	—	—	June – August	September – September
Zone 11	—	—	January – March	April – May
Zone 12	—	—	January – March	April – May
Zone 13	—	—	January – March	April – May
Zone 3	—	—	June – July	August – October
Zone 4	—	—	June – July	August – October
Zone 5	—	—	May – June	August – September
Zone 6	—	—	May – June	July – September
Zone 7	—	—	April – June	July – August
Zone 8	—	—	April – May	June – August
Zone 9	—	—	March – April	May – July
Zone 10	—	—	February – April	May – June

Succession Planting

Direct sow Dragon's Tongue every 14 days from late March through mid-June in zone 7, targeting soil temps above 60°F at planting depth. The UGA Vegetable Garden Calendar supports a third sowing as late as May for a staggered July–August harvest. Stop once daytime highs are consistently hitting 90°F — bean flowers drop in that heat and pod set falls off sharply.

At 57 days to harvest, two or three rounds get you a continuous supply without a glut. A late-July sowing can work if you have 57 frost-free days ahead — zone 7 first frost typically lands around mid-October — but germination drags in hot soil, so expect to lose a few days off that calendar and plan accordingly.

Complete Growing Guide

Dragon's Tongue beans thrive when direct sown into warm soil after all danger of frost has passed. Unlike some bean varieties, these bush beans don't require early indoor starting and actually prefer to go straight into the garden when soil temperatures reach at least 60°F, ideally between 70-80°F. Sow seeds about one inch deep and two to three inches apart in rows spaced twelve inches apart. This spacing is crucial for Dragon's Tongue since the compact bush habit still needs adequate air circulation to prevent fungal issues, and the flat pods need room to develop their characteristic striping without crowding.

Prepare your soil before planting by working in compost or aged manure to ensure good drainage and moderate fertility. Dragon's Tongue beans prefer soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Unlike many bean varieties, these don't need heavy nitrogen feeding since beans fix their own nitrogen through soil bacteria. A balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer applied at planting time is sufficient, though you can side-dress with compost halfway through the season if growth appears sluggish.

Water consistently throughout the growing season, providing about one inch per week through rainfall or irrigation. Dragon's Tongue beans are somewhat sensitive to inconsistent watering; too little water stresses the plants and causes tough, stringy pods, while too much moisture can lead to rot. Water at soil level in the morning to keep foliage dry, which helps prevent the fungal diseases these plants are particularly prone to.

Watch carefully for spider mites and Japanese beetles, which seem especially attracted to Dragon's Tongue. Check the undersides of leaves regularly for mites, particularly during hot, dry spells. Hand-pick beetles early in the season, or use neem oil if infestations develop. Powdery mildew and rust can appear on this variety, so maintain good spacing and avoid overhead watering. If fungal issues develop, remove affected leaves promptly and consider a sulfur spray.

At 57 days to harvest, Dragon's Tongue reaches maturity quickly, but succession planting extends your season. Plant new seeds every two weeks until mid-summer to ensure continuous production through fall. The pods are best harvested when they reach 6 to 6½ inches, while still tender; waiting too long results in tough, woody beans.

One critical point many gardeners overlook: don't harvest Dragon's Tongue pods when foliage is wet. Wet beans are far more susceptible to fungal disease transmission, and your hands can spread pathogens from plant to plant. Wait until morning dew dries or harvest in late afternoon when leaves are dry. This simple practice prevents many problems before they start and ensures healthier plants throughout the season.

Harvesting

Dragon's Tongue reaches harvest at 57 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 6-6 1/2" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

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

Storage & Preservation

# Storage and Preservation

Fresh Dragon's Tongue beans keep best in a breathable container—a perforated plastic bag or paper sack works well—stored in the refrigerator's crisper drawer at 40–45°F with moderate humidity. Expect a shelf life of five to seven days before the pods begin to lose their striking purple coloration and tender texture. For longer preservation, blanch whole pods for three minutes, then freeze in airtight containers for up to eight months. Alternatively, allow mature pods to dry completely on the plant, shell them, and store the dried beans in a cool, dark place for year-round use in soups and stews. Canning as pickled beans is also effective using standard pressure-canning methods. A useful tip specific to this variety: harvest pods at the young, tender stage (around 57 days) to preserve their vibrant purple streaking; mature dried beans lose the visual appeal that makes this variety distinctive in the garden.

History & Origin

Dragon's Tongue is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Tropical America

Advantages

+Striking purple-streaked pods make Dragon's Tongue visually distinctive in gardens and markets.
+Tender, sweet flavor works well raw in salads or cooked dishes.
+Short 57-day maturity allows multiple succession plantings in one growing season.
+Compact bush growth requires minimal space and staking infrastructure.
+Purple streaks fade when cooked, offering versatility for varied culinary presentations.

Considerations

-Purple coloration can fade or be inconsistent depending on sunlight exposure.
-Bush bean habit produces lower total yield compared to pole varieties.
-Pods may become tough if harvested late, requiring frequent picking.
-Less disease resistance than some modern bean varieties in humid climates.

Companion Plants

Marigolds — French marigolds (Tagetes patula) specifically — planted along the bed edges produce thiophenes that genuinely deter aphids and soil-dwelling pests, not just by smell but through root exudates. Nasturtiums work well as a trap crop, drawing aphids onto themselves and off the beans. Corn and summer squash are natural fits in a zone 7 Georgia garden because they share the same direct-sow window and root at different depths, so you're not setting up a water competition. Onions, garlic, and fennel are the ones to avoid — alliums suppress bean development, and fennel releases allelopathic compounds that cause problems for most vegetables planted within 2–3 feet of it.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel bean beetles and other harmful insects while attracting beneficial predators

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting bean plants

Corn

Provides natural support structure for climbing beans in Three Sisters planting

Summer Squash

Large leaves shade soil, retain moisture, and suppress weeds around bean roots

Carrots

Help aerate soil with deep roots and don't compete for nutrients with beans

Cucumbers

Both plants benefit from similar growing conditions and companion spacing

Rosemary

Strong scent deters bean beetles and other pests without competing for space

Radishes

Break up compacted soil and mature quickly before beans need full space

Keep Apart

Onions

Can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that stunt bean growth and development

Garlic

Strong sulfur compounds can interfere with bean root development and nitrogen fixation

Nutrition Facts

Protein

1.97g(4%)

Fiber

3.01g(11%)

Carbs

7.41g(3%)

Fat

0.275g(0%)

Vitamin K

43.9mcg(37%)

Iron

0.652mg(4%)

Calcium

40mg(3%)

Potassium

290mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346400)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Bean beetles, spider mites, aphids

Diseases

Bean rust, root rot in waterlogged conditions, powdery mildew in humid climates

Troubleshooting Dragon's Tongue

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Leaves with ragged chunks missing, some browning, on plants around 7 weeks old

Likely Causes

Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis) — the adult and larva both skeletonize leaves from the underside
Bean leaf beetle (Cerotoma trifurcata) — cuts circular holes, especially on younger leaves

What to Do

1.Flip leaves and look for yellow egg clusters or spiny orange-yellow larvae; hand-pick and drop in soapy water
2.Apply spinosad or pyrethrin in the early morning if populations are heavy — both are approved for organic use
3.Don't plant beans in the same bed five years running; NC State Extension notes that rotating legumes out of a plot breaks overwintering pest cycles

Pods and leaves developing orange-brown powdery pustules, usually mid-season

Likely Causes

Bean rust (Uromyces appendiculatus) — spreads fast in warm, humid conditions above 60°F
Overhead irrigation keeping foliage wet for extended periods

What to Do

1.Pull and trash (don't compost) infected leaves at first sign — spores left on the soil surface reinfect fast
2.Switch to a soaker hose at the base of the plants; wet foliage is the main driver of rust spread
3.Thin or restake so air moves through the canopy — Dragon's Tongue tops out at 18–24 inches, which helps, but rows tighter than 18 inches will still stay damp too long after rain

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Dragon's Tongue bean take to grow from seed to harvest?▼

Dragon's Tongue reaches harvest maturity in approximately 57 days from direct sowing. Germination occurs within 7–10 days in warm soil (70°F+), with flowering beginning around day 40–45. You can start picking tender pods within 2 weeks of the first flowers. For a continuous harvest, sow new seeds every 2–3 weeks until 8–10 weeks before your first fall frost.

Is Dragon's Tongue bean good for beginners?▼

Absolutely. Dragon's Tongue is one of the easiest beans to grow. It's forgiving of minor mistakes, germinates reliably, requires no staking, and produces abundantly with minimal care. The main requirement is consistent moisture and full sun. Even novice gardeners consistently harvest crops with this heirloom variety.

Can you grow Dragon's Tongue beans in containers?▼

Yes, excellently. The compact bush growth makes Dragon's Tongue ideal for containers. Use a pot at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide to grow 3–4 plants. Fill with quality potting soil enriched with compost, provide 6+ hours of direct sun daily, and maintain consistent moisture—containerized soil dries faster than garden beds. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production.

What does Dragon's Tongue bean taste like?▼

Dragon's Tongue offers a tender, sweet flavor with subtle buttery notes. The pods are best eaten young and fresh, either raw in salads with a light vinaigrette or lightly steamed or sautéed. The flesh is more delicate than typical green beans, with a creamy texture when cooked. The distinctive purple streaks vanish during cooking, leaving pale yellow pods.

When should I plant Dragon's Tongue beans?▼

Direct sow after your last spring frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 60°F (ideally 70°F). In most climates, this means planting in late May to early June. For fall crops, sow 60–65 days before your first expected frost. Avoid planting too early in cold soil—seeds will rot. Successive sowings every 2–3 weeks until midsummer extend your harvest window.

Why are my Dragon's Tongue bean pods tough and stringy?▼

Pods become tough and stringy when left on the plant too long after reaching optimal size (6–6.5 inches). The plant redirects energy into seed maturation, making pods fibrous. Harvest every 2–3 days while pods are tender and snap cleanly when bent. Consistent picking also signals the plant to produce more flowers rather than mature seeds, extending your productive harvest window significantly.