Heirloom

Lazy Housewife Pole Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Lazy Housewife'

Despite its unfortunate historical name, this 1800s heirloom is beloved for its completely stringless pods and dual-purpose nature as both snap and shell bean. The creamy white seeds are delicious fresh or dried, and the plants are incredibly productive climbers. This variety truly lives up to its reputation for being low-maintenance while delivering exceptional harvests.

Harvest

70-80d

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 Lazy Housewife Pole Bean in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 bean →

Zone Map

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Lazy Housewife Pole Bean · 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 matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, deep watering preferred

SeasonWarm season

FlavorMild, sweet flavor when young; creamy, nutty seeds when mature

ColorMedium green pods with white seeds

Size5-7 inch pods

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	June – July	September – October
Zone 4	—	—	June – July	September – October
Zone 5	—	—	May – June	August – October
Zone 6	—	—	May – June	August – October
Zone 7	—	—	April – June	August – September
Zone 8	—	—	April – May	July – September
Zone 9	—	—	March – April	June – August
Zone 10	—	—	February – April	June – 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 snap beans keep best refrigerated in perforated plastic bags for 7-10 days. Store unwashed to prevent moisture buildup that leads to decay. For shell beans, remove from pods within 24 hours and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

For long-term storage, blanch snap beans in boiling water for 3 minutes, ice bath to stop cooking, then freeze in portions. The stringless pods make preparation effortless. Shell beans freeze beautifully without blanching—simply pod and freeze in airtight containers for up to 8 months.

To dry beans for winter storage, allow pods to cure completely on plants until they rattle. Shell dried beans and store in airtight containers in a cool, dry location for up to 3 years. The creamy white seeds are excellent for soups and stews, maintaining their shape and developing a rich, nutty flavor during cooking.

History & Origin

Origin: Tropical America

Advantages

+Fast-growing

Considerations

-Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Corn

Provides natural support structure for climbing beans while beans fix nitrogen for corn

Squash

Part of Three Sisters planting, provides ground cover and weed suppression

Marigolds

Repel Mexican bean beetles and other harmful insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Carrots

Benefit from nitrogen fixed by beans, help break up soil

Radishes

Fast-growing root crop that doesn't compete with beans for space

Lettuce

Grows well in partial shade of bean plants, efficient space usage

Summer Savory

Repels bean beetles and may improve bean flavor when grown nearby

Keep Apart

Onions

Can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation capabilities

Garlic

Allelopathic compounds can stunt bean growth and development

Sunflowers

Compete heavily for nutrients and water, can shade out beans

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 overall disease tolerance, some resistance to bean mosaic virus

Common Pests

Bean beetles, aphids, spider mites, bean weevils

Diseases

Bean mosaic virus, bacterial blight, anthracnose, white mold

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Lazy Housewife pole bean take to grow?▼

Lazy Housewife beans mature in 70-80 days for fresh snap beans and 90-100 days for shell beans. For fully dried beans suitable for winter storage, allow 100-110 days until pods turn tan and papery. The long season is offset by continuous production once harvesting begins.

Can you grow Lazy Housewife beans in containers?▼

Yes, but use large containers at least 20 gallons with sturdy trellises 6-8 feet tall. The vigorous vines need substantial root space and support. Choose dwarf bush bean varieties for smaller containers—pole beans require significant vertical growing space to produce well.

Are Lazy Housewife pole beans good for beginners?▼

Moderately good for beginners due to their disease tolerance and productivity, but the support requirements and longer growing season present challenges. New gardeners might find bush beans easier to manage, though the exceptional stringless quality makes harvest processing very beginner-friendly.

What does Lazy Housewife bean taste like?▼

Fresh pods have a mild, sweet flavor with tender texture and no stringiness. Shell beans are creamy and slightly sweet, while dried beans develop a rich, nutty flavor excellent for soups and stews. The taste is more complex and satisfying than modern hybrid varieties.

When should I plant Lazy Housewife pole beans?▼

Plant after soil temperature reaches 65°F consistently, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In zones 3-5, this means late May to early June. Southern gardeners in zones 8-10 can plant again in mid-summer for fall harvest.

Why are Lazy Housewife beans called stringless?▼

Unlike many bean varieties that develop tough, fibrous strings along the pod seams, Lazy Housewife beans remain completely stringless throughout their edible stage. This eliminates the time-consuming task of removing strings before cooking, which was especially valuable for 1800s homemakers processing large quantities.