Growing guide

Best time to plant yardlong bean in Australia

Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis

Also called snake bean, asparagus bean, Chinese long bean, long bean

A vigorous climbing form of cowpea, this bean is grown for very long, slim green pods of 35 to 75 cm, used much like green beans. The name oversells them, as they rarely reach a full yard. It suits warm climates and is widely grown across South and Southeast Asia.

On a shared plot: suits a plot

Finishes in a season and stays within its space, so it suits most plots.

When to sow

ZoneJFMAMJJASOND
CoolNot yet checked against a local guideSowNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoSowSowSow
TemperateNot yet checked against a local guideSowSowNoNoNoNoNoNoSowSowSowSow
SubtropicalNot yet checked against a local guideSowSowSowSowNoNoNoSowSowSowSowSow
TropicalNot yet checked against a local guideNoSowSowSowSowSowSowSowSowSowNoNo
AridNot yet checked against a local guideSowSowNoNoNoNoNoNoSowSowSowSow

Good months to sow

Your local conditions can shift any months shown here, so treat them as a guide.

Growing details

How to start
Sow directly in the bed
Sowing depth
15mm
Plant spacing
45cm
Row spacing
60cm
Height
270cm
Germination
10-21 days at 20-30°C
Time to harvest
70 days
Frost
Frost tender
Sun
Full sun
Life cycle
annual

These are typical figures, and varieties differ. Your seed packet takes priority.

Further reading on this plant