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Red Noodle Long Bean

Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis 'Red Noodle'

An eye-catching Asian variety that produces incredibly long, burgundy-red pods that can reach up to 24 inches in length while maintaining tenderness and flavor. This vigorous climbing bean is not only productive but adds dramatic color and height to the garden with its striking appearance. Popular in Asian cuisine, these beans are tender when young and maintain their beautiful color when lightly cooked.

Harvest

60-70d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

11–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

5-10 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Red Noodle Long Bean in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Red Noodle Long Bean · Zones 11–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing6-8 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, tolerates poor soil conditions

pH5.8-7.2

WaterModerate — regular watering

SeasonSpring and Summer

FlavorMild, sweet flavor with crisp texture when young

ColorDeep burgundy-red to purple pods

Size18-24 inches long, 1/4 inch diameter

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

Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Fruits are 10 to 18 inches long. Various cultivars are available: some with green fruits and others with purple or burgundy fruits.

Color: Green, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy. Type: Legume. Length: > 3 inches. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Summer

Edibility: Fruits are edible when immature. The seeds can be harvested for dried beans.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Red Noodle Long Beans maintain peak quality for 3-5 days when stored unwashed in perforated plastic bags in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. Their optimal storage temperature is 40-45°F with high humidity—avoid storing below 40°F as this can cause chilling injury and discoloration of the beautiful burgundy pods.

For longer preservation, blanch whole beans in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then immediately plunge into ice water before freezing in airtight containers. They'll maintain quality for 8-10 months frozen. These beans also pickle beautifully—their color intensifies in vinegar brine, creating stunning deep red pickled vegetables perfect for Asian dishes.

Dehydrating works well for mature beans: slice into 2-inch segments and dry at 125°F until completely brittle. Store dried beans in airtight containers for up to one year. The mature seeds can also be saved and dried for use as shell beans with a nutty, rich flavor that's excellent in soups and stews.

History & Origin

Origin: Tropical Africa

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Drought, Heat, Humidity, Poor Soil
+Attracts: Twining
+Edible: Fruits are edible when immature. The seeds can be harvested for dried beans.
+Fast-growing
+Low maintenance

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Marigold

Repels bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Basil

Deters aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving bean flavor

Nasturtium

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

Cucumber

Benefits from bean's nitrogen fixation, beans provide natural trellis support

Radish

Breaks up soil for bean roots, deters bean beetles, quick harvest before beans mature

Catnip

Repels aphids, ants, and flea beetles that commonly attack beans

Sweet Corn

Provides natural climbing support, benefits from nitrogen fixed by bean roots

Summer Savory

Improves bean growth and flavor while repelling bean beetles and aphids

Keep Apart

Onion

Inhibits bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions

Sunflower

Releases allelopathic compounds that stunt bean growth and development

Fennel

Produces allelopathic chemicals that inhibit bean germination and growth

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 heat and humidity tolerance, resistant to many bean diseases

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, bean beetles

Diseases

Powdery mildew, bacterial blight, mosaic virus

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Red Noodle Long Beans take to grow?▼

Red Noodle Long Beans typically take 60-70 days from planting to first harvest. You'll see flowers appearing around 45-50 days, with pods developing rapidly in hot weather. Once pod production begins, you can harvest continuously every 2-3 days through the growing season until frost.

Can you grow Red Noodle Long Beans in containers?▼

Yes, but you'll need large containers at least 20 gallons with sturdy support structures. Use a pot that's at least 18 inches wide and deep, and install an 8-foot trellis or pole system. Container growing works best in zones 7-9 where you have a longer warm season for these heat-loving beans to reach full production.

What do Red Noodle Long Beans taste like?▼

Red Noodle Long Beans have a mild, sweet flavor with a crisp, tender texture when harvested young. They're less beany-tasting than regular green beans, with a subtle nutty undertone. The texture is similar to snap peas but more substantial, and they maintain their slight crunch even when lightly cooked.

Are Red Noodle Long Beans good for beginners?▼

Yes, Red Noodle Long Beans are excellent for beginners due to their disease resistance and tolerance for poor soil conditions. The main requirement is providing adequate support and waiting for warm soil temperatures. They're very forgiving and actually prefer slightly neglectful watering over constant attention.

When should I plant Red Noodle Long Beans?▼

Plant Red Noodle Long Beans when soil temperature consistently reaches 65°F, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In most areas, this means late May to early June. Southern gardeners can plant as early as April, while northern gardeners may need to wait until mid-June for reliable soil warmth.

How do Red Noodle Long Beans compare to regular green beans?▼

Red Noodle Long Beans are actually a different species (Vigna vs Phaseolus) with much longer pods, better heat tolerance, and continuous production. They require taller supports, have a milder flavor, and take slightly longer to mature than bush green beans, but they're more productive and handle summer heat much better.