Golden Wax Bush Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Golden Wax'
A classic yellow wax bean that's been delighting gardeners since the 1870s with its bright golden pods and exceptional tenderness. These compact bush plants produce heavy yields of stringless, buttery-flavored beans that are as beautiful as they are delicious, making them perfect for both the dinner table and farmers market sales.
Harvest
50-55d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Golden Wax Bush Bean in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 bean →Zone Map
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Golden Wax Bush Bean · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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 Golden Wax beans store best in the refrigerator in a perforated plastic bag, maintaining quality for 5-7 days. Don't wash until ready to use, as excess moisture promotes decay. For longer storage, blanch whole pods in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, shock in ice water, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 10 months.
These beans excel at pressure canning due to their firm texture – process pint jars for 20 minutes at 10 pounds pressure. The golden color holds beautifully in preserved preparations. For pickled dilly beans, use young, tender pods and process in a boiling water bath. Golden Wax beans can also be dehydrated when fully mature and dry on the plant, though most gardeners prefer preserving them at the fresh eating stage for their superior flavor and texture.
History & Origin
Origin: Tropical America
Advantages
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Marigold
Repels Mexican bean beetles and aphids while attracting beneficial insects
Basil
Deters aphids and bean beetles, may enhance bean flavor
Carrots
Loosens soil for bean roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Cucumber
Beans fix nitrogen that cucumbers utilize, complementary root systems
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels bean beetles
Summer Savory
Repels bean beetles and aphids, improves bean growth and flavor
Corn
Beans fix nitrogen for corn, though bush beans need less support than pole varieties
Radish
Quick harvest allows beans more space, helps break up soil
Keep Apart
Onions
Can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root compounds
Sunflowers
Allelopathic compounds can stunt bean growth and development
Fennel
Strong allelopathic effects 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
Moderate resistance to bean common mosaic
Common Pests
Mexican bean beetle, aphids, bean weevil, thrips
Diseases
Rust, bacterial blight, white mold, anthracnose