Scarlet Runner Bean in Zone 11a & 11b
Phaseolus coccineus
When to plant scarlet runner bean in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Scarlet Runner Bean tolerates either.
| Start indoors | Dec 11–Dec 18 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 8–Jan 15 |
| Estimated bloom | Mar 19–Mar 26 (~70 days after planting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 6-9 ft.

Scarlet runner bean is a vigorous flowering vine in the same genus as garden beans, but it's usually grown for its bright red, edible flowers and ornamental value on a trellis rather than for the bean pods, which are edible too but a secondary reason to grow it.
How scarlet runner bean fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free in this dataset, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Scarlet Runner Bean.
Where to buy scarlet runner bean seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing scarlet runner bean" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Scarlet Runner Bean in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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