Scarlet Runner Bean in Zone 5a & 5b
Phaseolus coccineus
When to plant scarlet runner bean in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b 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 | Apr 19–Apr 26 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 17–May 24 |
| Estimated bloom | Jul 26–Aug 2 (~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 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Scarlet Runner Bean needs about 70 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Scarlet Runner Bean.
Where to buy scarlet runner bean seeds
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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 5b 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 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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