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Pencil Pod Black Wax Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Pencil Pod Black Wax'

A treasured heirloom wax bean dating back to the 1890s, Pencil Pod Black Wax produces beautiful golden-yellow pods that are perfectly round and stringless. This reliable bush variety offers exceptional flavor and tender texture, making it a favorite among gardeners who appreciate both historical significance and superior eating quality. The bright yellow pods are easy to spot for harvesting and add vibrant color to garden beds.

Harvest

52-57d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Pencil Pod Black Wax Bean in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Pencil Pod Black Wax Bean · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing4-6 inches apart

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorMild, sweet flavor with tender, stringless texture

ColorBright golden-yellow

Size5-6 inches long

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 Pencil Pod Black Wax beans stay crisp for 4-5 days when stored unwashed in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer. Avoid storing at room temperature, as pods become limp and lose sweetness within 24 hours.

For freezing, blanch whole pods in boiling water for 3 minutes, then immediately plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in sealed bags for up to 8 months. The stringless quality makes these beans perfect for freezing without pre-processing.

Pressure can using standard green bean processing times (20 minutes at 10 pounds pressure for pints). These tender pods also excel at quick pickling—their golden color creates beautiful pickled beans that maintain crunch better than green varieties.

For dried beans, allow pods to turn brown and papery on the plant, then harvest the mature black seeds inside for winter storage. Shell immediately and store in airtight containers for up to 2 years.

History & Origin

Origin: Tropical America

Advantages

+Fast-growing

Considerations

-Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Marigold

Repels Mexican bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels bean beetles

Corn

Provides natural trellis support for climbing beans in three sisters planting

Summer Squash

Large leaves provide ground cover and moisture retention, completes three sisters guild

Carrots

Beans fix nitrogen which benefits carrots, different root depths reduce competition

Cucumber

Both benefit from similar growing conditions and beans provide nitrogen

Radish

Quick-growing radishes break up soil for bean roots and deter bean beetles

Rosemary

Strong scent repels Mexican bean beetles and carrot flies

Keep Apart

Onion

Inhibits bean growth and nitrogen fixation through allelopathic compounds

Garlic

Stunts bean growth and interferes with beneficial rhizobia bacteria

Fennel

Allelopathic chemicals inhibit germination and growth of 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

Moderate disease resistance typical of heirlooms

Common Pests

Bean leaf beetles, aphids

Diseases

Rust, bacterial blight, white mold

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Pencil Pod Black Wax beans take to grow?▼

Pencil Pod Black Wax beans mature in 52-57 days from direct seeding to first harvest. Peak production typically occurs over a 2-3 week period, with daily harvests possible during this time. The concentrated harvest makes this variety ideal for preservation projects like canning or freezing large batches.

Are Pencil Pod Black Wax beans good for beginners?▼

Yes, these beans are excellent for beginning gardeners. They're easy to grow, require no staking, and the bright yellow pods are impossible to miss during harvest. The bush habit eliminates trellising complexity, and their reliable germination in cool soils forgives early planting mistakes that kill more sensitive varieties.

Can you grow Pencil Pod Black Wax beans in containers?▼

Absolutely. Their compact bush habit (18-24 inches tall) makes them perfect for containers. Use pots at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide, with excellent drainage. Plant 4-6 seeds per container and provide full sun. Container growing actually helps prevent soil-borne diseases common with heirloom varieties.

What do Pencil Pod Black Wax beans taste like?▼

These beans offer a mild, sweet flavor with a tender, buttery texture that's more delicate than typical green beans. The stringless pods have a pleasant snap when fresh and maintain their sweetness even when cooked. Many gardeners describe the flavor as more refined than modern commercial varieties.

When should I plant Pencil Pod Black Wax beans?▼

Plant after soil temperature reaches 60°F consistently, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In most regions, this means late May to early June. The black seeds germinate better in cool conditions than white-seeded varieties, but still require warm soil to prevent rotting.

What's the difference between Pencil Pod Black Wax and regular green beans?▼

Beyond the obvious color difference, wax beans like Pencil Pod Black Wax have more tender pod walls, a milder flavor, and better visibility for harvesting. They also tend to maintain quality longer after picking and have superior freezing characteristics, though they're generally less disease-resistant than modern green bean varieties.