Purple Beans

🌱 Days to Sprout: 10-14

😋 Plant food: after true leaves 

✂️ Thin to: 2 plants per yCube

🍅 Days to Maturity: 50-75

💡 Gardyn Location: Peripheral

📏 Plant Size: 2 ft

💚 Care Level: Advanced

Since Purple Beans have a robust root system, we suggest checking the roots monthly and trimming any that are brown or extending past the yPod.

Though this is a compact plant it may require support as it matures. We suggest using our Plant Belt to support the plant and its fruit.

Purple Beans need minimal pruning, snip any yellow or brown leaves if they appear.

Flowers should develop in 4-6 weeks after sprouting. When they appear, help the plant with pollination by gently shaking the plant by hand replicating the effects of wind or gently disturb the inside of the blossom with your finger or a small brush.

To harvest Purple Beans, wait until it produces fleshy round pods that are about 5 inches long and generally as thick as a pencil. Snip the pods at the stem before they are fully mature and while they are still tender, usually 1-2 weeks after flowering. This variety of bush bean produces most of its fruit at once, but the plant will keep producing if harvested regularly.

 

Quick Facts

ORIGIN // Just like Green Beans, Purple Beans are native to Central and South America. This particular cultivar is considered an heirloom variety and was first bred in 1957. 

 

QUALITIES // The dark purple pods are not only beautiful, but they also taste delicious and are stringless and tender. Their purple color comes from a pigment called anthocyanin which also has antioxidant effects. The color produced by anthocyanin can range from red to blue depending on acidity levels. Cooking affects acidity and also degrades the pigment resulting in a green colored bean!

 

USE // To preserve their beautiful purple shade, enjoy these Beans raw as a snack or in salads. They can also be used in any recipe that calls for Green Beans. You can reduce the color change by soaking the beans in vinegar or lemon juice prior to cooking.

 

Our Plant Health & Nutrition Team thoroughly tests each variety we offer to bring you the most flavorful and high-quality plants. We regularly rotate our plant portfolio, so please note, availability varies.