How to Grow Runner Beans: Tips, Facts, and Information

Runner beans are a popular and productive vegetable, valued for their vibrant flowers and delicious, tender pods. They’re perfect for small gardens or vertical spaces, as they grow upwards on poles or trellises. With their colorful blooms and vigorous growth, runner beans not only provide a bountiful harvest but also add a splash of color to your garden. Here’s your guide to the top 20 runner bean varieties to grow, along with essential growing tips, fascinating facts, and answers to common questions.

Top 20 Runner Bean Varieties to Grow

1. Scarlet Emperor

Tips: Plant Scarlet Emperor beans in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Provide sturdy supports like poles or trellises for the vines to climb.
Facts: Known for its bright red flowers and long, tender pods, Scarlet Emperor is a classic variety with a rich flavor.

2. Enorma

Tips: Enorma runner beans thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Water consistently and provide a tall structure for the vines to climb.
Facts: This variety produces extra-long, straight pods that are perfect for slicing. Enorma is prized for its heavy yields and sweet, tender beans.

3. White Lady

Tips: Plant White Lady beans in full sun and rich, moist soil. Water regularly and support the vines with sturdy poles or trellises.
Facts: Known for its pure white flowers, White Lady produces long, smooth pods with a tender texture and sweet flavor.

4. Red Rum

Tips: Red Rum grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant in late spring after the last frost and provide support for the climbing vines.
Facts: This variety is highly productive and produces bright red flowers with tender, stringless pods, ideal for fresh eating or freezing.

5. St George

Tips: St George beans prefer full sun and fertile soil. Water consistently and provide a sturdy structure for the vines.
Facts: St George is known for its bi-colored red and white flowers and long, tender pods. It’s a high-yielding variety perfect for fresh or frozen beans.

6. Celebration

Tips: Celebration runner beans grow best in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Provide a trellis or poles for the vines to climb.
Facts: This variety produces bright orange-pink flowers and tender pods with a mild, sweet flavor. It’s great for both fresh eating and freezing.

7. Moonlight

Tips: Moonlight beans thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant in late spring and provide plenty of support for the vigorous vines.
Facts: Moonlight is a stringless, self-pollinating variety that produces smooth, tender pods with a mild flavor. It’s ideal for both fresh eating and freezing.

8. Painted Lady

Tips: Plant Painted Lady beans in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water regularly and provide sturdy supports for the climbing vines.
Facts: This heirloom variety is known for its striking red and white flowers and long, flavorful pods. It’s a beautiful and productive choice for any garden.

9. Polestar

Tips: Polestar runner beans prefer full sun and rich soil. Plant after the last frost and support the vines with a trellis or poles.
Facts: This variety is stringless and produces smooth, tender pods with excellent flavor. Polestar is known for its early, heavy crops and vibrant red flowers.

10. Scarlet Runner

Tips: Scarlet Runner beans thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Provide tall supports and water consistently for healthy growth.
Facts: This traditional variety produces bright red flowers and large, tasty beans. The pods can be eaten fresh, or the seeds can be dried for later use.

11. Sunset

Tips: Sunset beans grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant in late spring and water regularly to ensure healthy vines.
Facts: Known for its salmon-pink flowers, Sunset produces long, stringless pods with a sweet, tender flavor, perfect for fresh eating or freezing.

12. Wisley Magic

Tips: Wisley Magic runner beans prefer full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Provide support for the vigorous vines and water regularly.
Facts: This variety produces long, straight pods with a sweet flavor. Wisley Magic is highly productive and resistant to stringiness.

13. Desiree

Tips: Desiree beans grow well in full sun and fertile soil. Provide poles or a trellis for support and water consistently.
Facts: Desiree is known for its striking red flowers and long, smooth pods with a tender texture. It’s ideal for fresh eating, cooking, or freezing.

14. Lady Di

Tips: Lady Di runner beans thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant after the last frost and provide tall supports for the vines.
Facts: This stringless variety produces smooth, tender pods with a sweet flavor. Lady Di is known for its heavy crops and bright red flowers.

15. Firestorm

Tips: Firestorm beans grow best in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly and provide sturdy supports for the vines.
Facts: A self-fertile variety, Firestorm produces bright red flowers and stringless, tender pods that are perfect for fresh eating or freezing.

16. Czar

Tips: Czar beans prefer full sun and fertile soil. Plant in late spring and provide support for the vigorous vines.
Facts: This variety produces large, white beans that are perfect for drying and storing, but the young pods can also be eaten fresh.

17. Empress

Tips: Empress runner beans thrive in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently and provide a trellis or poles for support.
Facts: Known for its bright red flowers, Empress produces long, stringless pods with a sweet, mild flavor, ideal for fresh or frozen use.

18. Black Knight

Tips: Black Knight grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Provide tall supports and water regularly for optimal growth.
Facts: This variety produces stunning deep red flowers and long, smooth pods with a rich, tender flavor.

19. Borlotti Firetongue

Tips: Borlotti Firetongue runner beans prefer full sun and fertile soil. Plant after the last frost and provide support for the climbing vines.
Facts: Known for its speckled red and white beans, Firetongue is perfect for drying and storing, but the pods can also be eaten fresh.

20. Dwarf Runner Hestia

Tips: Dwarf Runner Hestia beans grow well in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently and provide low supports for the bushy plants.
Facts: This compact variety is perfect for small spaces or containers. It produces red and white flowers and tender pods, ideal for fresh eating.

Common Questions About Growing Runner Beans

Q: When should I plant runner beans?
A: Runner beans should be planted in late spring, after the last frost, when the soil has warmed. They thrive in warm weather and need plenty of sunlight to grow well.

Q: Can I grow runner beans in containers?
A: Yes, runner beans can be grown in containers, but make sure the pots are at least 12-16 inches deep with good drainage. Use a sturdy trellis or poles for the vines to climb, and place the container in a sunny location.

Q: How long do runner beans take to grow?
A: Runner beans typically take about 60-70 days from planting to harvest, depending on the variety. Harvest regularly to encourage more bean production.

Q: How do I know when to harvest runner beans?
A: Runner beans are best harvested when the pods are young, tender, and about 6-8 inches long. If left to mature too long, the pods can become tough and stringy.

Q: How do I store runner beans after harvesting?
A: Fresh runner beans can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you have a large harvest, you can blanch and freeze them for longer storage. Alternatively, let the beans mature and dry them for use in soups and stews.