Wax Beans Planting Guide
Wax beans are a yellow-podded variety of snap beans with a buttery, slightly sweeter flavor than green beans. They are easy to spot on the plant for picking.
Phaseolus vulgaris · Vegetable · Fabaceae family · 50–65 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Wax 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 Wax Beans?
Wax Beans Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Wax Beans planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | — | May 29 | — | Jul 24 – Sep 18 |
| Zone 3b | — | May 24 | — | Jul 19 – Sep 13 |
| Zone 4a | — | May 20 | — | Jul 15 – Sep 9 |
| Zone 4b | — | May 15 | — | Jul 10 – Sep 4 |
| Zone 5a | — | May 2 | — | Jun 27 – Aug 22 |
| Zone 5b | — | Apr 25 | — | Jun 20 – Aug 15 |
| Zone 6a | — | Apr 17 | — | Jun 12 – Aug 7 |
| Zone 6b | — | Apr 10 | — | Jun 5 – Jul 31 |
| Zone 7a | — | Apr 1 | — | May 27 – Jul 22 |
| Zone 7b | — | Mar 25 | — | May 20 – Jul 15 |
| Zone 8a | — | Mar 15 | — | May 10 – Jul 5 |
| Zone 8b | — | Mar 4 | — | Apr 29 – Jun 24 |
| Zone 9a | — | Feb 17 | — | Apr 14 – Jun 9 |
| Zone 9b | — | Feb 1 | — | Mar 29 – May 24 |
| Zone 10a | — | Jan 8 | — | Mar 5 – Apr 30 |
| Zone 10b | — | Jan 8 | — | Mar 5 – Apr 30 |
| Zone 11a | — | Jan 8 | — | Mar 5 – Apr 30 |
| Zone 11b | — | Jan 8 | — | Mar 5 – Apr 30 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Wax Beans is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Transplant shows "—" because Wax Beans is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.
How to Plant Wax Beans
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
50–65 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 Wax Beans
Wax Beans matures in just 50–65 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 4 successive plantings by sowing every 5.7 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 Wax Beans
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Wax Beans
Direct sow after last frost. Pick pods regularly when young and tender. Bush types produce a concentrated harvest while pole types yield longer. Avoid working around wet plants.
Saving Wax Beans Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Wax Beans by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Wax Beans?
Wax Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) takes 50 to 65 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Wax Beans grow in?
Wax 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 Wax Beans need?
Growing Wax Beans requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.