Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
Bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is an annual vegetable in the Fabaceae family. It grows 35–60 cm (14–24 in) tall and 30–45 cm (12–18 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 4 °C (39 °F). Space plants about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
Plan Bush bean in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Bush bean at a glance
| Type | Annual vegetable |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 35–60 cm (14–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–45 cm (12–18 in) |
| Spacing | 15 cm (6 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About 4 °C (39 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | about 4–6 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 55 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: cooked pods, cooked seeds |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇨🇦 Canada |
Is Bush bean toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: raw seeds
Raw or undercooked beans contain lectins that cause stomach upset.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bush bean
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C
See Bush bean in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (12 plants)
- Desert Botanical Garden (10 plants)
Questions about Bush bean
- How far apart should I plant Bush bean?
- About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–45 cm (12–18 in).
- Does Bush bean need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bush bean need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Bush bean?
- It tolerates about 4 °C (39 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Bush bean flower?
- About 4–6 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks.
- Is Bush bean poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Raw or undercooked beans contain lectins that cause stomach upset.
- What grows well with Bush bean?
- "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Garden pea Pisum sativum
- Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
- Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
- Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
- Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
- Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
- Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis
- Soybean (edamame) Glycine max