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Roma II Bush Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Roma II'

An improved version of the classic Italian Romano bean, Roma II produces exceptionally wide, flat pods with incredible flavor and meaty texture. This compact bush variety brings gourmet Italian bean quality to small gardens and containers, producing heavy yields of the broad, tender pods beloved in Mediterranean cuisine. Perfect for gardeners who want premium flavor without the space requirements of pole varieties.

Harvest

53-58d

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 Roma II Bush Bean in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 bean →

Zone Map

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Roma II Bush Bean · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing4-6 inches apart in rows

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, even moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorRich, meaty flavor with tender texture

ColorMedium to dark green

Size5-7 inches long, very wide

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 Roma II beans store best unwashed in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer, maintaining quality for 7-10 days. Their thick, meaty texture makes them excellent candidates for freezing – blanch whole pods for 3 minutes, shock in ice water, then freeze in portion-sized bags for up to 8 months.

For preservation, Roma II's substantial pods excel at pressure canning using tested recipes for green beans. Their dense texture holds up beautifully to the high-heat process. You can also ferment these beans lacto-fermentation style, similar to dilly beans – their meaty texture creates satisfying pickled vegetables.

Dehydrating works well too: slice pods into 1-inch pieces and dry until brittle for long-term storage in airtight containers. The concentrated flavor makes dried Roma II perfect for adding to soups and stews during winter months.

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

Loosens soil for bean roots and beans provide nitrogen that carrots utilize

Corn

Provides natural windbreak and structure while beans fix nitrogen in soil

Summer Squash

Large leaves provide ground cover and shade, reducing weeds and conserving moisture

Nasturtiums

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

Brassicas

Beans repel flea beetles that damage brassicas, while brassicas don't compete for nitrogen

Radishes

Break up compacted soil and mature quickly, making space for bean root expansion

Rosemary

Deters bean beetles and other pests with strong aromatic compounds

Keep Apart

Onions

Can stunt bean growth and reduce yields through allelopathic compounds

Sunflowers

Allelopathic effects inhibit bean germination and growth, also competes for nutrients

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants including beans through strong allelopathy

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 resistance to common bean mosaic virus and rust

Common Pests

Bean leaf beetles, aphids

Diseases

White mold, bacterial blight

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Roma II bush bean take to grow?▼

Roma II bush beans mature in 53-58 days from planting to first harvest. This relatively quick maturation makes them excellent for succession planting every 2-3 weeks through summer, or for gardeners in shorter growing seasons who need reliable production before fall frosts arrive.

Can you grow Roma II bush beans in containers?▼

Yes, Roma II bush beans thrive in containers due to their compact growth habit. Use containers at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide, with drainage holes. Plant 4-6 beans per large container, and ensure consistent watering since container soil dries faster than garden beds.

Is Roma II good for beginners?▼

Roma II is excellent for beginning gardeners. Rated as 'easy' to grow, these beans require no staking, have good disease resistance, and provide clear visual cues for harvest readiness. The main beginner mistake is planting too early in cold soil – wait until soil reaches 60°F consistently.

What does Roma II bush bean taste like?▼

Roma II beans have a rich, meaty flavor with tender texture that's distinctly different from round green beans. The flat pods provide more substantial bites with a slightly nutty undertone. They're less fibrous than many varieties and maintain their tender quality even when pods reach full size.

When should I plant Roma II bush beans?▼

Plant Roma II bush beans after soil temperature reaches 60°F consistently, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In most areas, this means late May through June. For succession harvests, continue planting every 2-3 weeks until 10 weeks before your first expected fall frost.

Roma II vs regular green beans - what's the difference?▼

Roma II produces wide, flat pods up to 6 inches long compared to round pods of regular green beans. The flavor is richer and more substantial, with a meaty texture prized in Italian cuisine. Roma II also offers better disease resistance and concentrated harvests, though regular beans may produce over a longer period.