Scarlet Runner Beans Planting Guide

April

April scarlet runner beans essentials

Month-by-month scarlet runner beans fundamentals. Your frost dates change the timing, so pick your county for a tailored plan.

Sun full sun

Water moderate

Days to harvest 60–80

Plant depth 1″

Spacing 15″

How to water scarlet runner beans
Consistent moisture matters more than volume for scarlet runner beans. Little and often beats occasional drenching.
Where to put scarlet runner beans
South-facing beds are ideal for scarlet runner beans. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant scarlet runner beans. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.

See when to plant scarlet runner beans where you live →

Scarlet runner beans are ornamental and edible climbing beans with vivid red flowers that attract hummingbirds. Both the young pods and mature beans are edible.

Phaseolus coccineus · Vegetable · Fabaceae family · 60–80 days to maturity

Get Your Personalized Scarlet Runner Beans Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Scarlet Runner Beans?

Zone Compatibility for Scarlet Runner Beans Zones 3a – 11b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zone 3a	Mar 13	May 29	Jun 5	Aug 7 – Sep 11
Zone 3b	Mar 8	May 24	May 31	Aug 2 – Sep 6
Zone 4a	Mar 4	May 20	May 27	Jul 29 – Sep 2
Zone 4b	Feb 27	May 15	May 22	Jul 24 – Aug 28
Zone 5a	Feb 28	May 2	May 9	Jul 11 – Aug 15
Zone 5b	Feb 21	Apr 25	May 2	Jul 4 – Aug 8
Zone 6a	Feb 13	Apr 17	Apr 24	Jun 26 – Jul 31
Zone 6b	Feb 6	Apr 10	Apr 17	Jun 19 – Jul 24
Zone 7a	Feb 4	Apr 1	Apr 8	Jun 10 – Jul 15
Zone 7b	Jan 28	Mar 25	Apr 1	Jun 3 – Jul 8
Zone 8a	Jan 18	Mar 15	Mar 22	May 24 – Jun 28
Zone 8b	Jan 7	Mar 4	Mar 11	May 13 – Jun 17
Zone 9a	Dec 30	Feb 10	Feb 17	Apr 21 – May 26
Zone 9b	Dec 14	Jan 25	Feb 1	Apr 5 – May 10
Zone 10a	Nov 20	Jan 1	Jan 8	Mar 12 – Apr 16
Zone 10b	Nov 20	Jan 1	Jan 8	Mar 12 – Apr 16
Zone 11a	Nov 20	Jan 1	Jan 8	Mar 12 – Apr 16
Zone 11b	Nov 20	Jan 1	Jan 8	Mar 12 – Apr 16

How to Plant Scarlet Runner Beans

Planting Depth

15"

Between Plants

24"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.

🧪 Soil pH

6 – 7

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 3a – 11b

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.

👪 Plant Family

Fabaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Fabaceae family crops grew last year.

Succession Planting Scarlet Runner Beans

Scarlet Runner Beans matures in just 60–80 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 3 successive plantings by sowing every 6.9 weeks.

Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.

Companion Planting for Scarlet Runner Beans

✅ Good Companions

Corn Squash Summer

❌ Keep Away From

Onion Garlic

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Scarlet Runner Beans

Provide tall trellising for vigorous vines. Direct sow after frost. Harvest pods young for snap beans or let mature for shelling beans. Tubers are perennial in mild climates.

Saving Scarlet Runner Beans Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪

Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

🏷️

Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Reader favourite

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

$27 $157 value

Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.

200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
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Scarlet Runner Beans by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Scarlet Runner Beans?

Scarlet Runner Beans (Phaseolus coccineus) takes 60 to 80 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Scarlet Runner Beans grow in?

Scarlet Runner Beans can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Scarlet Runner Beans need?

Growing Scarlet Runner Beans requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.