Heirloom

Purple Top Turnip Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Purple Top'

A stunning heirloom pole bean that produces beautiful purple-streaked pods that transform to green when cooked. This vigorous climber not only provides an abundant harvest but also adds ornamental value to the garden with its attractive purple-tinged foliage and colorful pods. The tender, flavorful beans have been cherished by gardeners for generations and offer both visual appeal and exceptional taste.

Harvest

65-75d

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 Purple Top Turnip Bean in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Purple Top Turnip Bean · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing6-8 inches

SoilRich, well-draining soil with good organic matter

pH6.0-7.5

Water1-1.5 inches per week, deep watering preferred

SeasonWarm season

FlavorRich, meaty flavor with tender texture when young

ColorPurple-streaked pods with green undertones

Size6-7 inches long

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 – 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 Top Turnip Bean pods maintain peak quality for 5-7 days when stored unwashed in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer at 32-40°F. Their purple coloration may fade slightly during storage, but flavor remains excellent.

For freezing, blanch whole pods in boiling water for 3 minutes, then immediately plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in airtight containers for up to 8 months. The purple coloration will largely disappear during blanching, resulting in green beans.

Drying works exceptionally well for Purple Top Turnip Beans—allow pods to mature fully on the vine until papery, then harvest and shell out the dried beans for winter storage. These dried beans can be stored in airtight containers for 2-3 years and make excellent soup beans with their rich, meaty flavor. Pressure canning fresh pods follows standard bean processing times of 20 minutes for pints, 25 minutes for quarts at 10 pounds pressure.

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

Carrots

Help loosen soil for bean roots and don't compete for nutrients

Corn

Provides natural support structure for climbing beans and benefits from nitrogen fixation

Squash

Ground cover reduces weeds and retains soil moisture, part of Three Sisters companion planting

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while repelling bean beetles

Radishes

Break up compacted soil and mature quickly without competing for space

Lettuce

Benefits from bean nitrogen fixation and provides ground cover to retain moisture

Summer Savory

Repels bean beetles and may improve bean flavor and growth

Keep Apart

Onions

Can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions

Garlic

Releases compounds that can stunt bean growth and interfere with beneficial bacteria

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of beans and most garden plants

Sunflowers

Compete heavily for nutrients and water, and may release growth-inhibiting chemicals

Nutrition Facts

Calories

28kcal(1%)

Protein

0.9g(2%)

Fiber

1.8g(6%)

Carbs

6.43g(2%)

Fat

0.1g(0%)

Vitamin C

21mg(23%)

Vitamin A

0mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

0.1mcg(0%)

Iron

0.3mg(2%)

Calcium

30mg(2%)

Potassium

191mg(4%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170465)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Moderate disease resistance typical of heirloom varieties

Common Pests

Bean beetles, aphids, leafhoppers, spider mites

Diseases

Bacterial blight, rust, anthracnose, mosaic virus

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Purple Top Turnip Bean take to grow?▼

Purple Top Turnip Bean takes 65-75 days from seed to first harvest. You can expect to see germination in 7-14 days, flowering around 45-50 days, and the first purple-streaked pods ready for harvest at approximately 9-10 weeks. The harvest period extends 4-6 weeks with regular picking, making it a productive choice despite the longer maturity time compared to bush beans.

Can you grow Purple Top Turnip Bean in containers?▼

Yes, but you'll need a very large container—minimum 20-gallon capacity—and an 8-10 foot trellis system. These vigorous climbers have extensive root systems and can reach 8 feet tall. Use a high-quality potting mix enriched with compost, ensure excellent drainage, and be prepared for more intensive watering and feeding than garden-grown plants. Smaller containers will significantly reduce yields.

What does Purple Top Turnip Bean taste like?▼

Purple Top Turnip Bean offers a rich, meaty flavor with a tender yet substantial texture when harvested young. The taste is more robust and complex than typical green beans, with subtle earthy undertones characteristic of heirloom varieties. When dried and used as shell beans, they develop a hearty, almost nutty flavor excellent for soups and stews.

Do Purple Top Turnip Beans stay purple when cooked?▼

No, the purple coloration largely fades to green during cooking due to heat breaking down the anthocyanin pigments responsible for the purple color. This is completely normal and doesn't affect flavor or nutritional value. The visual appeal is primarily for the garden and fresh harvest—expect traditional green bean appearance in cooked dishes.

Is Purple Top Turnip Bean good for beginners?▼

This variety rates as moderate difficulty due to its substantial support requirements and heirloom disease susceptibility. Beginners succeed best if they have experience with basic gardening practices and can commit to building adequate trellising. The reward is exceptional flavor and ornamental value, but novice gardeners might find bush bean varieties more forgiving for their first attempts.

When should I plant Purple Top Turnip Bean seeds?▼

Plant Purple Top Turnip Bean seeds directly in the garden 2-3 weeks after your last frost date when soil temperatures consistently reach 60°F. This typically falls in late May to early June in most temperate zones. Planting too early in cold, wet soil causes poor germination and potential seed rot. These beans cannot tolerate any frost.