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Vegetable

Snake bean

Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis · also Yard-long bean, Asparagus bean, Long bean

A fast climbing bean with very long, thin pods. It loves heat and humidity, so it thrives in the tropics and subtropics and through hot summers in the south. Sow once the soil is properly warm and give it a tall trellis. Pick pods young and often.

When to plant where you live

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Planting times for other areas

Varieties (2)

  • Black SeededCommon green-podded type with black seeds; suits warm climates
  • Red SeededGreen pods with red-brown seeds; widely sold by Australian seed companies

Neighbours

Grows well with

Keep away from

From seed to plate

  1. Plant

    10 cm apart, rows 50 cm, seed 15 mm deep. Full sun.

  2. Water

    Regular water while young; copes with dry spells once established.

  3. Feed

    Little needed; a light compost dressing at sowing.

  4. Pick, from about 10 weeks

    Pick pods about 30 cm long, before the seeds bulge.

Good to know

  • Give a trellis at least 2 m tall, or let them climb a block of sweet corn
  • Pinch out the tips once vines reach the top of the support
  • Picking every few days keeps the vines cropping for weeks
  • Eat pods cooked; stir-fry, steam or add to curries

Common problems

  • Seed rots in the groundwait until the soil is at least 20 °C before sowing
  • Bean fly and aphidskeep plants growing strongly; hose off aphids or use a soap spray
  • Pods tough and stringypick younger and more often

If you use a garden chemical, follow the label exactly. Try organic options first, and ask the community or Plant Doctor if you're unsure.

Ask the garden helper about snake beanAny question, answered from the plant libraryHow others are growing snake beanQuestions, tips and harvests from the community

Wildlife

Good for: bees.

Safety: Everyday food, sold fresh in supermarkets and Asian grocers. Like other beans, raw dry seeds can upset the stomach; cook pods and seeds.

Where this information comes from

Reviewed by AI cross-check (Claude), not a horticulturist on 29 Oct 2026. Version 1.