Cut and whole Dragon Tongue Bush Beans with blooms on a white background.
An extreme close-up of the purple stripes on Dragon Tongue Beans.
Three Dragon Tongue Beans surrounded cut beans on white background.
Dragon Tongue Beans with a pile of pink blooms and another pile of cut beans on a dark background.
A half dozen Dragon Tongue Beans arranged on a white background.
Cut and whole Dragon Tongue Bush Beans with blooms on a white background.
An extreme close-up of the purple stripes on Dragon Tongue Beans.
Three Dragon Tongue Beans surrounded cut beans on white background.
Dragon Tongue Beans with a pile of pink blooms and another pile of cut beans on a dark background.
A half dozen Dragon Tongue Beans arranged on a white background.

Bean Seeds,
Dragon Tongue Bush

4.6338 Reviews#BN126 · 40 seeds
Price
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Description

(Phaseolus vulgaris) Bush bean. Dragon Tongue is the gold standard of beans, and our best-selling variety. No wonder! Its massive, thick, meaty pods often reach up to 9 inches long, boldly striped in buttery yellow and deep purple. Despite their impressive size, the pods stay remarkably tender, giving you a wide harvest window and a satisfying bite, whether enjoyed fresh or allowed to mature into a shell bean. The compact bush plants produce heavily and come in quickly at around 60 days, making this an easy, rewarding crop.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Phaseolus vulgaris
Life Cycle
Annual
Growth Habit
Bush
Sun Requirement
Full sun
Days to Germinate
7–14
Days to Maturity
60
Planting Depth
½–1 in.
Plant Spacing
4 in.
Ideal Temperature
70–80°F
Frost Hardy
No

Growing Guide

When to Grow

Plant Dragon Tongue beans after all danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature is at least 60 F. They are not frost-hardy and perform best in temperatures between 70-80 F. In warmer southern climates, using shade cloth during the hottest part of the season can help prevent flower drop​​. You can look up the average last frost date for your USDA zone to determine the optimal planting time. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

How to Sow and Plant

Soak seeds overnight before planting. Direct sow the seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep and 4 to 6 inches apart in rows that are 18 to 36 inches apart. In raised beds, planting in a grid pattern can maximize space. Space plants 4 inches apart. Dragon Tongue beans do not require staking due to their bush growth habit, reaching about 24 to 30 inches tall​.

How to Grow

Ensure the plants receive consistent moisture, especially during germination and pod development. Using mulch can help retain soil moisture and reduce weeds. Regularly inspect for pests like aphids and bean beetles. Fertilize lightly with a balanced fertilizer if needed, but avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers​. Pick frequently to keep plants productive. Succession plant for prolonged harvest.

How to Save Seeds

  • Common beans do not easily cross pollinate and can be grown close to one another, making them the ideal seed-saving project for beginners.
  • Save seeds from the best-looking, best-tasting, and most vigorous beans.
  • Leave pods on the plant to dry. Pull the plants and shake them vigorously into a bag to release the beans from the pods (same as you would for using them as dried beans).
  • Store in a cool, dry place for the winter (a glass jar in the refrigerator works well!).

FAQ

How long do Dragon Tongue bush beans take to mature?

They typically mature in around 60 days for fresh snap beans. For shelled beans, allow the pods to fully mature, which may take about 80 days.

Do Dragon Tongue bush beans need a trellis?

No, these beans do not require a trellis as they are bush-type plants that grow to about 24 to 30 inches tall.

When should I harvest Dragon Tongue bush beans?

Harvest the beans when the pods are about 6 to 8 inches long for fresh eating. If you want to use them as shelled beans, let the pods mature fully on the plant until they dry and the seeds rattle inside.

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Customer reviews

4.6 / 5 338 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Rich, sweet flavor: Sweet, tender and stringless; a step up from a plain green bean.

  • Heavy yields: A few plants feed a family; pickings every couple of days.

  • Shrugs off heat: Kept producing through heat waves and drought that hit other crops.

  • Compact, container-friendly: Bush plants do well in pots, grow bags and small patios.

  • Heads up: The purple markings fade to plain green once cooked.

More to grow!

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