GardenWizzPlant Care Card

French Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris · Annual

Hardiness
None Not rated by RHS (to None)
Position
Full sun
Height × Spread
0.2–4 m × 50–100 cm
Soil
fertile, moisture-retentive
Flowering
July–August
Toxicity
Raw pods/beans harmful if eaten. Contains toxic compound phytohaemagglutinin.

The Gardening Year

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
🌱 Sow
🌸 In flower

Watch out for

Slugs and snails: Use physical barriers like copper tape or beer traps, and hand-pick at night.

Black bean aphid: Encourage natural predators like ladybirds or use a strong jet of water to dislodge them.

Runner and French bean rust: Improve air circulation by thinning plants and remove heavily infected leaves to reduce spread.

Bean seed fly: Sow seeds later in the season when soil is warmer or use fine mesh covers to exclude flies.

Powdery mildew: Water at the base to keep foliage dry and choose resistant varieties where possible.

Full guide: gardenwizz.com/plants/french-bean © GardenWizz — UK gardening encyclopedia