The snake bean is a favourite for warm and tropical areas, and now you can grow your own with Mr Fothergill’s. Also known as the asparagus bean or yardlong bean, this excellent variety produces abundant crops of long, rounded pods which are stringless and delicious to eat. Snake bean seeds grow fast, especially in hot weather - so choose a hot, sheltered spot and you’ll have plenty of tasty pods ready to harvest in no time. In the right conditions, these striking pods can grow up to 75cm (29.5”) long! Pick them when they’re young and slender and they’ll have a lovely crisp texture, perfect for eating fresh or adding to stir-fries, curries, and stews. Plant Height: 2-3m Pair these delicious bean seeds with other crops from our vegetable seeds collection, such as our spring vegetable seeds or Asian greens seeds for a diverse and thriving garden.

How to Sow Seeds

Growing notes: Sow your snake bean seeds 25mm (1 in) deep in dark, damp soil and 10-15cm (4-6 in) apart. They are easy to sow in most cultivated soils, but they do need a sunny position. Feed the soil with a general fertiliser shortly before you sow. Snake beans should be grown on a fence or trellis.
Snake beans germinate slightly slower than other beans, and plants can remain fairly small until hot weather arrives. Seedlings should emerge in 10-21 days. Remove weeds regularly and water well during dry periods. Harvest regularly to improve productivity.

Growing Needs

Sunlight: Full sun

Plant Characteristics

Suitable for small spaces: Yes
Suitable for pots / containers: Yes
Easy to grow: Yes
Easy to Fast: Yes