Scarlet Runner Bean
Phaseolus coccineus
A vigorous climbing bean grown for both its showy scarlet flowers and its long edible pods and large seeds, equally at home in the kitchen garden and the ornamental fence.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Regular; keep consistently moist
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
The scarlet runner bean is a fast-growing perennial vine, usually grown as an annual, native to the cool highlands of Central America. It is prized in two roles at once: as an ornamental climber smothered in bright red flowers and as a productive vegetable.
Its twining stems quickly cover trellises, arches, and fences, and the flowers give way to long, flat pods. Both the young pods and the large, mottled mature seeds are eaten, making it a classic dual-purpose plant of cottage and kitchen gardens.
How to identify it
A tall, twining climber with bright flowers and large leaves.
- Flowers: showy pea-like blooms in clusters, typically vivid scarlet (some forms white or bicolored)
- Leaves: large, trifoliate with broad heart-shaped leaflets
- Pods: long, flat, and often rough-textured, green ripening to develop large seeds
- Seeds: large, plump, usually black-and-purple mottled
- Habit: twines counterclockwise, climbing to 2-4 m
- Roots: forms a tuberous root that can survive mild winters
Care & growing
- Light: full sun for the best flowering and cropping
- Water: keep consistently moist, especially while flowering and setting pods; dryness causes flowers to drop
- Soil: rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter
- Temperature: prefers cool to mild summers; sets pods poorly in extreme heat
- Support: provide a tall trellis, poles, or netting to climb
- Propagation: sow seed directly after frost; pick pods regularly to keep production going
Habitat & origin
Phaseolus coccineus originates in the cool, moist mountain regions of Mexico and Central America, where it grows as a perennial vine.
It has been cultivated for thousands of years and is especially popular in Britain and Europe as a summer vegetable. It is grown worldwide on trellises and arches in vegetable plots and ornamental gardens alike.
Uses & benefits
A dual-purpose ornamental and food crop.
- Culinary: young pods are eaten as a green vegetable; mature seeds are cooked like other beans
- Ornamental: the bright flowers and rapid climb make it a popular screen or arch cover
- Wildlife: flowers are excellent for bees and attract hummingbirds
- Important: raw or undercooked beans contain lectins and must be thoroughly cooked before eating
Frequently asked questions
Can you eat scarlet runner beans raw?
No. Raw beans contain toxic lectins; the pods and seeds must be thoroughly cooked before eating.
Is it grown for flowers or for food?
Both. It is a true dual-purpose plant valued for its showy scarlet flowers and its edible pods and seeds.
Why are the flowers dropping without forming pods?
This is usually caused by heat or dry soil; keep plants well watered and they set best in cooler conditions.
Is the scarlet runner bean a perennial?
It is technically a tender perennial with tuberous roots, but it is almost always grown as an annual.
Scarlet Runner Bean guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Scarlet Runner Bean.
