Hybrid

French Filet Bean Maxibel

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Maxibel'

A premium French filet bean that produces an abundance of ultra-thin, tender pods with exceptional flavor and texture that rivals the finest restaurant-quality haricots verts. This vigorous climber continues producing for weeks when harvested regularly, offering gourmet quality beans that are perfect for elegant dining. Popular with home gardeners who want to grow their own gourmet vegetables and chefs who demand the best flavor and presentation.

Harvest

60-70d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

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 French Filet Bean Maxibel in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 bean →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

French Filet Bean Maxibel · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing4-6 inches

SoilRich, well-drained loam with high organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorDelicate, sweet, tender with refined flavor

ColorDark green pods

Size6-7 inches long, very slender

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

Store freshly harvested French Filet Bean Maxibel in the refrigerator immediately, placing unwashed pods in a perforated plastic bag in the crisper drawer where they'll maintain peak quality for 5-7 days. These delicate beans lose their crisp texture quickly at room temperature, so refrigeration is essential.

For freezing, blanch whole pods in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Drain thoroughly and freeze in single layers on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags – this prevents clumping and allows you to remove just what you need. Properly blanched and frozen beans retain their flavor for 8-10 months.

Pickling works exceptionally well with these tender beans, creating gourmet dilly beans that showcase their refined flavor. Use a standard pickling brine with white wine vinegar for the most elegant results. Avoid dehydrating, as these ultra-thin pods become tough and lose their prized delicate texture when dried.

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

Loosens soil for bean roots, beans fix nitrogen for carrots

Radishes

Breaks up compacted soil, deters bean root fly, quick harvest before beans mature

Summer Savory

Repels bean beetles and aphids, may improve bean flavor and growth

Corn

Provides natural trellis support, beans fix nitrogen for corn

Lettuce

Utilizes space efficiently, beans provide partial shade, shallow roots don't compete

Rosemary

Repels bean beetles, carrot flies, and cabbage moths

Keep Apart

Onions

Inhibits bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions

Garlic

Stunts bean growth and interferes with nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Sunflower

Allelopathic compounds 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

Good resistance to common bean mosaic and anthracnose

Common Pests

Bean leaf beetle, aphids, spider mites, thrips

Diseases

Bacterial blight, white mold, rust, powdery mildew

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does French Filet Bean Maxibel take to grow?▼

French Filet Bean Maxibel typically takes 60-70 days from planting to first harvest. You'll begin seeing flowers around 45-50 days, with the first tender pods ready to pick 10-14 days later. Once production begins, you can harvest continuously for 8-10 weeks with proper care and regular picking.

Can you grow French Filet Bean Maxibel in containers?▼

Yes, but you need a very large container (minimum 20 gallons) and an 8-foot tall support structure. These vigorous climbers produce extensive root systems and heavy vine loads that require substantial space and support. A half-barrel planter with a sturdy trellis works well, but yields will be lower than garden-grown plants.

What's the difference between French filet beans and regular green beans?▼

French filet beans like Maxibel are harvested when ultra-thin (pencil thickness) and have a more delicate, refined flavor than standard green beans. They're typically more tender, cook faster, and have fewer strings. Regular green beans are harvested larger and have a more robust, traditional bean flavor with firmer texture.

When should I plant French Filet Bean Maxibel?▼

Plant after your last frost date when soil temperature reaches 60°F consistently, usually 2-3 weeks after the frost-free date. In zones 3-5, this means late May to early June; zones 6-8 can plant mid to late April. Cold, wet soil will cause seed rot, so patience pays off with better germination.

Is French Filet Bean Maxibel good for beginners?▼

This variety rates as moderate difficulty due to its need for tall supports, daily harvesting, and specific timing requirements. While the plants are vigorous once established, beginners might find the infrastructure needs and harvest timing challenging. Start with bush beans first to learn bean-growing basics.

How do you know when French filet beans are ready to harvest?▼

Harvest when pods are pencil-thin (1/4 inch diameter), bright green, and 4-6 inches long. They should snap cleanly when bent and show no visible seed bumps. Check the snap test – properly timed pods break crisply with no stringy fibers. Once you see seed outlines, they're past prime eating quality.