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Dragon Tongue

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Dragon Tongue'

A stunning Dutch heirloom that transforms any garden into a conversation piece with its cream-colored pods dramatically streaked with purple flames. Beyond their striking appearance, these beans offer exceptional flavor when harvested young as snap beans, with a tender texture and sweet, nutty taste that's perfect fresh or lightly cooked. The purple markings fade when cooked, but the superior flavor remains.

Harvest

60-70d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

🌱

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 Tongue in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 bean →

Zone Map

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Dragon Tongue · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Spacing4-6 inches

SoilRich, well-drained soil with good organic content

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, consistent moisture for best pod quality

SeasonWarm season

FlavorSweet, nutty, and tender with exceptional fresh bean taste

ColorCream with purple flame-like stripes

Size6-8 inches long

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 Dragon Tongue beans maintain peak quality for 5-7 days when stored unwashed in perforated plastic bags in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. The purple markings fade faster at room temperature, so refrigerate promptly after harvest.

For freezing, blanch whole pods in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then plunge into ice water. This preserves texture better than freezing raw. The purple streaks will fade during blanching, but flavor remains excellent. Properly blanched and frozen beans keep 8-10 months.

Dragon Tongue beans excel in pickled preparations—their unique appearance creates stunning refrigerator pickles that retain some purple coloring in acidic solutions. Use a basic vinegar brine with dill and garlic within 24 hours of harvest for best results. For long-term storage, these beans can pressure-safely following tested canning recipes for green beans, though the distinctive purple markings won't survive the high-heat processing.

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

Basil

Repels aphids, thrips, and spider mites that commonly attack beans

Corn

Provides natural support structure for climbing beans and benefits from nitrogen fixation

Summer Squash

Large leaves provide ground cover, retaining moisture and suppressing weeds

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while attracting predatory insects

Rosemary

Repels bean beetles, carrot flies, and other harmful insects with strong aromatic oils

Radish

Breaks up compacted soil and deters bean root fly larvae

Catnip

Repels aphids, ants, and flea beetles that damage bean plants

Keep Apart

Onion

Inhibits bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions

Garlic

Stunts bean development and interferes with beneficial rhizobia bacteria

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit bean germination and growth

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

Resistance

Moderate disease resistance, sensitive to wet conditions

Common Pests

Bean beetles, slugs (attracted to tender foliage), aphids

Diseases

Bacterial blight, white mold, anthracnose

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Dragon Tongue beans take to grow?▼

Dragon Tongue beans mature in 60-70 days from direct seeding. You can expect flowers to appear around 45-50 days, with the first harvestable pods ready about 10-14 days after flowering. Peak harvest typically occurs over a 3-4 week period, with daily picking during the height of production.

Are Dragon Tongue beans good for beginners?▼

Dragon Tongue beans are moderately beginner-friendly, though slightly more challenging than standard green beans. They're easy to grow in the right conditions but require careful attention to watering—too much moisture causes disease problems. New gardeners should focus on proper spacing and avoiding overhead watering for best success.

Can you grow Dragon Tongue beans in containers?▼

Yes, Dragon Tongue beans work well in containers since they're bush-type plants that don't need trellising. Use containers at least 12 inches deep and wide, with excellent drainage. Space plants 6 inches apart and ensure containers receive 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Container growing actually helps manage their sensitivity to wet conditions.

What do Dragon Tongue beans taste like?▼

Dragon Tongue beans have a distinctly sweet, nutty flavor that's more complex than standard green beans. When harvested young, they're exceptionally tender with a crisp snap. The flavor is mild enough for raw eating in salads but develops deeper nutty notes when lightly steamed or sautéed. Many gardeners describe the taste as 'premium' compared to grocery store beans.

When should I plant Dragon Tongue bean seeds?▼

Plant Dragon Tongue beans after soil temperature consistently reaches 60°F, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In most areas, this means late May to early June. For zones 8-10, you can also plant a second crop in late summer for fall harvest, timing it 10-12 weeks before first expected frost.

Do Dragon Tongue beans lose their purple color when cooked?▼

Yes, the distinctive purple flame markings fade significantly when cooked, turning the pods mostly cream-colored or pale green. This color change is normal and doesn't affect the excellent flavor. To preserve some color, try very light steaming for 2-3 minutes or enjoy them raw in salads where the purple streaks remain vibrant.