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Entire healthy mature bush beans plant in a real garden bed, showing growth habit and scale.Primary identification image. 30–60 cm tall, 20–30 cm wide at maturity.

Bush beans

Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Also called: Green beans, French beans, Snap beans, Dwarf beans

Family
Fabaceae
Season
Warm-season annual
Best grown in
Portland, Oregon

A quick, compact, direct-sown legume for warm soil; sow every two weeks for a steady supply.

Safety: Raw or undercooked beans contain lectins; cook dried beans thoroughly.

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Life cycle & growth stages

  1. 1. SeedSow 3–4 cm deep in warm soil.
  2. 2. SeedlingEmerges in 7–10 days; cotyledons lift out of the soil.
  3. 3. Mid-growthBushy plant 30–60 cm.
  4. 4. FloweringSmall white or purple flowers.
  5. 5. Developing podsPods lengthen over 1–2 weeks.
  6. 6. Harvest readyPods snap cleanly; seeds not yet bulging.
  7. 7. HarvestHold the stem and pull pods; pick often.

Growth stages are ordered chronologically; timing varies with cultivar, temperature, light and care.

Planting calendar for Portland, Oregon

direct sow 1–8 weeks after last frost; 50–60 days to maturity from sowing. Windows are derived from the region's average frost dates (last Apr 5, first Nov 5) and are estimates until you confirm your own dates in the calendar.

Bush beansPhaseolus vulgaris
PlantStart indoorsDirect sowAutumn sowTransplantTendHarvest
Bush beans—Apr 12–May 31 (estimate); May 31–Sep 2 (estimate)———Jun 1–Nov 5 (estimate)
  • Direct sow: Apr 12 – May 31
  • Succession sow: May 31 – Sep 2
  • Harvest: Jun 1 – Nov 5

Spacing & support

In-row 8–10 cm; rows 45–60 cm. Planner footprint: 1 cell of 30 cm, 9 plants per cell.

Side-profile diagram of mature bush beans: canopy 30–60 cm tall, 20–30 cm wide, medium root zone, support and harvest-access envelope.

Soil & water

Soil
Well-drained loam
pH
6–7
Fertility
low
Water
Steady water during flowering and pod set.
Frost
tender; killed by frost

Support & training

No support structure needed.

Bush beans mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.

Harvest signs

  • Pods pencil-thick and snap cleanly
  • Before seeds bulge inside the pod
  • Pick every 2–3 days
Bush beans at harvest readiness, showing the visual cues: pods pencil-thick and snap cleanly; before seeds bulge inside the pod.

Common problems

Pests: Mexican bean beetle, aphids, slugs, bean seed fly

Diseases: rust, bacterial blight, anthracnose

Appearance alone is not a diagnosis; confirm with a regional extension guide.

Side-by-side: healthy bush beans leaf or fruit and an example of rust.

Container growing

  • Minimum 10 L (20 cm deep)
  • Use quality potting mix and water more frequently
Mature bush beans in a correctly sized container (10 L or more) with drainage visible.

Companion overview

11 reviewed relationship records (evidence: low).

Supported or conditional

None reviewed

Avoid or separate

None with evidence

Traditional claims only: Florence fennel, French marigold, Nasturtium, Onion, Potato, Rosemary.

5 popular pairings reviewed with no verified relationship.

Full companion profile

Crop rotation

Avoid planting bush beans or other legume family crops in the same spot for 2 years. Rotation is about previous seasons, not about live neighbours.

Year 1Year 2Year 3FabaceaeOther familyOther familyback after 2+ years

Shared risks in Fabaceae: root rots (Fusarium, Pythium), bean rust, pea aphid.

Crop rotation hub

Sources, reviewer & update

Sources

Reviewer: Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review)

Last reviewed: August 15, 2026 · version 1

Found an error or have feedback? Let us know.

Growing bush beans

Bush beans are sown directly once the soil is above 16 °C, a week or more after the last frost; cold soil rots seed. Plants crop 50–60 days from sowing for two or three weeks, so sowing every two weeks until midsummer keeps the supply going.

Bush beans seed beside a ruler or coin for scale.
Bush beans seedling at cotyledon and first-true-leaf stage, in soil, distinguishable from common weeds.
Bush beans mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.

Beans fix nitrogen with root bacteria, but reviews show only a small, variable share of that nitrogen reaches neighbouring plants during the season. The benefit to the next crop comes when roots and residues decompose. A bean next to a heavy feeder is not a fertiliser.

Two or more mature bush beans plants with a tape measure showing in-row spacing (8–10 cm).
Bush beans flower detail or bolting stage.
Immature pods of bush beans developing on the plant.

Mexican bean beetle, aphids and slugs on seedlings are the usual pests; rust and bacterial blight spread on wet foliage, so avoid working in beans when leaves are wet.

Edible parts and safety

Edible: pods, seeds. Raw or undercooked beans contain lectins; cook dried beans thoroughly.

Hands or tool harvesting bush beans correctly (cut, pull, twist or pick) without damaging the plant.

Pests and diseases

Common pests: Mexican bean beetle, aphids, slugs, bean seed fly. Common diseases: rust, bacterial blight, anthracnose. These vary by region; a photograph is an example, not a diagnosis. See the pest and disease guides and your local extension service.

Mexican bean beetle on bush beans, with a wider damage-context view.

Timeline

Season timeline for bush beans: sowing, transplanting, flowering, harvest and bed occupancy aligned to frost dates.Text alternative: Direct sow Apr 12–May 31; Succession sow May 31–Sep 2; Harvest Jun 1–Nov 5.

Related plants

See also: Fabaceae family page · crop rotation · regional calendar · guides

Our Methodology & Sources

We synthesize peer-reviewed research, university extension publications, and trusted horticulture resources. Our evidence levels help you understand how strong the science is behind the guidance.

Evidence tiers

Supported evidenceConsistent results from multiple robust studies
Traditional claimHistorical use reported, limited scientific support
Context dependentMixed or variable results across conditions
No verified relationshipNo reliable evidence identified

Primary source types

  • Peer-reviewed journal articles
  • University extension publications
  • Government & research institute reports
  • Systematic reviews & meta-analyses

Last updated

August 24, 2026

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