Heirloom

Purple Podded Pole Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Purple Podded Pole'

An eye-catching heirloom climbing bean that produces abundant clusters of deep purple pods on vigorous 8-foot vines. The stunning purple pods make this variety a garden showstopper while providing excellent eating quality and productivity. This dual-purpose beauty serves as both an edible crop and an attractive garden accent that climbs any support structure.

Harvest

60-65d

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 Purple Podded Pole Bean in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 bean →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Purple Podded Pole Bean · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Spacing6-8 inches

SoilRich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorRich, meaty flavor with tender texture when young

ColorDeep purple pods turning green when cooked

Size6-7 inch pods

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	June – July	September – October
Zone 4	—	—	June – July	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 Purple Podded Pole Beans maintain best quality when stored unwashed in perforated plastic bags in your refrigerator crisper drawer, where they'll stay fresh for 7-10 days. Keep them at 40-45°F with high humidity—too cold and they'll develop pitting and off-flavors.

For freezing, blanch whole pods in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then immediately plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in portions you'll use at one time. Properly blanched and frozen beans maintain quality for 8-10 months.

These beans excel for drying into shell beans—allow pods to mature on the vine until they rattle when shaken, then harvest and finish drying indoors. Store dried beans in airtight containers for up to 2 years. The striking purple pods also make excellent additions to fresh flower arrangements, maintaining their color for 5-7 days in water.

History & Origin

Origin: Tropical America

Advantages

+Fast-growing

Considerations

-Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Summer Squash

Part of Three Sisters planting, large leaves suppress weeds and retain moisture

Marigolds

Repel Mexican bean beetles and other harmful insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Carrots

Different root depths avoid competition, beans provide nitrogen for carrots

Radishes

Break up soil for bean roots, mature quickly before beans need space

Corn

Provides natural trellis support, beans fix nitrogen for corn

Catnip

Repels flea beetles and ants that can damage bean plants

Rosemary

Deters Mexican bean beetles and carrot rust flies

Keep Apart

Onions

Can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation by root bacteria

Garlic

Allelopathic compounds can stunt bean growth and development

Sunflowers

Compete for nutrients and can release growth-inhibiting chemicals

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 natural resistance to common bean diseases

Common Pests

Bean beetles, aphids, spider mites, bean weevils

Diseases

Bean mosaic virus, rust, bacterial blight, anthracnose

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Purple Podded Pole Bean take to grow?▼

Purple Podded Pole Beans mature in 60-65 days from direct seeding to first harvest. However, once production begins, you can continue harvesting for 6-8 weeks with regular picking, extending the productive season until first frost. The climbing habit means they take 2-3 weeks longer than bush varieties but compensate with much higher yields.

Can you grow Purple Podded Pole Beans in containers?▼

Yes, but choose containers at least 20 gallons in size with drainage holes. The key is providing adequate root space for the vigorous 8-foot vines and sturdy support structures. Use a high-quality potting mix enriched with compost, and expect to water daily during hot weather. Container plants may need supplemental feeding every 3-4 weeks.

What do Purple Podded Pole Beans taste like?▼

These beans offer a rich, meaty flavor with excellent tender texture when harvested young. The taste is similar to high-quality green beans but often described as more robust and slightly nuttier. The purple pods turn green when cooked, maintaining their superior eating quality and firm texture that holds up well to various cooking methods.

When should I plant Purple Podded Pole Bean seeds?▼

Plant after soil temperature consistently reaches 60°F, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In most regions, this means late May to early June in northern zones, mid-May in temperate zones, and mid-April in warmer southern areas. Cold soil leads to poor germination and potential seed rot.

Are Purple Podded Pole Beans good for beginners?▼

These beans are moderately beginner-friendly with the main challenge being proper support structure installation. They're actually more forgiving than bush beans regarding heat and disease pressure. New gardeners should focus on providing sturdy 8-foot supports and consistent moisture. The visual appeal and high yields make them rewarding for novice gardeners willing to handle the trellising requirements.

Do Purple Podded Pole Bean pods stay purple when cooked?▼

No, the purple pods turn green when cooked, similar to how purple cabbage changes color when heated. This is due to natural anthocyanins breaking down under heat. While the cooked appearance matches regular green beans, the superior flavor and texture remain. Many gardeners enjoy the purple color in fresh preparations or raw applications.