Contents
Bean Species
give me a table of all cultivated bean seeds, plus those great for home gardeners
Here is a comprehensive table of cultivated bean and legume seeds, including all major species suitable for home gardeners. Each entry includes the species name, common names, growth habit, days to maturity, and key characteristics.
| Species | Common Name(s) | Growth Habit | Days to Maturity | Description & Home Garden Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phaseolus vulgaris | Common Bean, Green Bean, Snap Bean, String Bean, Kidney Bean, Pinto Bean, Navy Bean, Black Bean, Cranberry Bean, Borlotti Bean, Wax Bean, Romano Bean | Bush, Pole, or Half-Runner | 50–100 days (snap: 50–70; dry: 85–100) | The most widely cultivated bean species. Encompasses all snap beans, wax beans, Romano beans, and most dry beans. Extremely versatile; bush types are compact and early, pole types yield over a long season. Requires warm soil and full sun. |
| Phaseolus lunatus | Lima Bean, Butter Bean | Bush or Pole | 65–85 days (bush); 80–90 days (pole) | Known for creamy texture and buttery flavor. Heat-tolerant but sensitive to cold. Bush types mature earlier; pole types are more productive. Prefers warm, well-drained soil. |
| Phaseolus coccineus | Runner Bean, Scarlet Runner Bean | Pole (vigorous climber) | 65–85 days | Grown for both edible pods and ornamental scarlet flowers. Pods are flat and flavorful. Perennial in frost-free climates but grown as an annual elsewhere. Attracts hummingbirds. |
| Phaseolus polyanthus | Year Bean, Seven-Year Bean | Pole (perennial) | 80–100 days | A perennial bean in tropical regions, grown as an annual in temperate zones. Produces large pods and seeds. Less common but valued for longevity and yield. |
| Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata | Cowpea, Black-Eyed Pea, Southern Pea, Crowder Pea | Bush or Spreading | 60–90 days | Extremely heat- and drought-tolerant. Grown for fresh shelling or dry peas. The seeds have a distinctive black "eye." Excellent for hot, humid climates. |
| Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis | Yard-Long Bean, Asparagus Bean, Chinese Long Bean | Pole | 75–90 days | A close relative of cowpea. Produces slender pods up to 18–36 inches long. Thrives in hot, humid conditions where common beans struggle. Best harvested when young and tender. |
| Vigna radiata | Mung Bean | Bush or Spreading | 90–120 days | Grown primarily for dry seeds used in sprouts, soups, and dals. Heat-tolerant and drought-resistant. Seeds are small, green, and easily sprouted indoors. |
| Vigna mungo | Black Gram, Urad Bean | Bush or Spreading | 90–120 days | Similar to mung bean but with black seeds. Used extensively in Indian cuisine for dals and fermented dishes. Warm-season crop requiring frost-free conditions. |
| Glycine max | Soybean, Edamame | Bush | 75–100 days (edamame: 75–85; dry: 90–110) | Grown for immature pods (edamame) or dry seeds. Requires warm soil (minimum 60°F) and a long growing season. High in protein and nitrogen-fixing. Harvest edamame when pods are plump but still green. |
| Vicia faba | Fava Bean, Broad Bean, Field Bean | Bush (upright) | 75–100 days | A cool-season legume. Plant in early spring or fall. Tolerates frost and light freezes. Large, flat pods contain meaty beans. Prefers well-drained soil and cool temperatures. |
| Cajanus cajan | Pigeon Pea, Congo Pea, Gandule | Perennial Shrub (grown as annual in temperate zones) | 120–180 days (first harvest) | A woody, drought-tolerant shrub reaching 6–12 feet. Produces protein-rich peas used fresh or dry. Excellent for soil improvement, living fences, and intercropping. Perennial in tropics; frost-sensitive. |
| Arachis hypogaea | Peanut, Groundnut | Bush (prostrate or upright) | 90–150 days (depending on type) | A unique geocarpic legume: flowers self-pollinate, then pegs grow downward into the soil to form pods underground. Requires sandy, well-drained soil, warm temperatures, and a long frost-free season. |
| Lens culinaris | Lentil | Bush (low-growing) | 80–110 days | Cool-season annual grown for dry seeds. Prefers well-drained, sandy loam. Low-growing plants reach 12–20 inches. Harvest when pods turn brown and rattle. Tolerates drought but not waterlogging. |
| Cicer arietinum | Chickpea, Garbanzo Bean | Bush (semi-erect) | 90–120 days | Cool-season or warm-season depending on type (desi vs. kabuli). Requires well-drained soil and moderate temperatures. Plants produce small pods with one or two seeds. Drought-tolerant once established. |
| Pisum sativum | Garden Pea, English Pea, Snow Pea, Snap Pea | Bush or Pole | 55–80 days | A cool-season legume. Plant in early spring or fall. Snow peas and snap peas are eaten whole; shelling peas are harvested for seeds. Prefers cool temperatures and consistent moisture. |
| Lathyrus sativus | Grass Pea, Chickling Pea | Bush or Spreading | 90–110 days | A hardy, drought-tolerant legume grown in marginal conditions. Highly resilient but contains neurotoxins if consumed exclusively as a staple. Occasionally grown for forage or soil improvement. |
| Lablab purpureus | Hyacinth Bean, Lablab, Dolichos | Vigorous Vine (Pole) | 90–120 days | A fast-growing ornamental and edible legume. Produces purple pods and flowers. All parts are toxic raw and require thorough cooking. Grown for beauty, forage, and as a nitrogen-fixing cover crop. |
| Psophocarpus tetragonolobus | Winged Bean, Goa Bean, Four-Angled Bean | Vine (Pole) | 120–180 days | A tropical legume where all parts are edible: pods, leaves, seeds, and tubers. Requires a long, warm growing season. Pods have distinctive frilly wings. High in protein. |
| Mucuna pruriens | Velvet Bean, Cowhage | Vigorous Vine | 180–240 days | A tropical cover crop and green manure. Pods are covered with irritating hairs. Seeds require thorough cooking to remove toxins. Valued for nitrogen fixation and weed suppression. |
| Canavalia ensiformis | Jack Bean | Bush or Spreading | 120–150 days | A tropical legume grown for forage, green manure, and occasionally edible seeds (requires thorough cooking). Large seeds resemble fava beans. Tolerant of poor soils. |
| Cyamopsis tetragonoloba | Guar, Cluster Bean | Bush | 90–120 days | A drought-tolerant legume grown primarily for gum production and as a vegetable in Indian cuisine. Pods are eaten fresh. Thrives in hot, arid conditions. |
📋 Summary by Growth Habit
| Growth Habit | Species |
|---|---|
| Bush / Compact | Phaseolus vulgaris (bush types), Glycine max, Vicia faba, Lens culinaris, Cicer arietinum, Pisum sativum (bush types), Cyamopsis tetragonoloba |
| Pole / Vine | Phaseolus vulgaris (pole types), Phaseolus coccineus, Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis, Lablab purpureus, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus, Mucuna pruriens |
| Spreading / Semi-Erect | Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata, Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo, Arachis hypogaea, Lathyrus sativus |
| Perennial / Shrub | Cajanus cajan, Phaseolus polyanthus (in tropics) |
🌱 Key Considerations for Home Gardeners
- Warm-Season Species (plant after last frost): Phaseolus spp., Vigna spp., Glycine max, Cajanus cajan, Arachis hypogaea, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus, Lablab purpureus
- Cool-Season Species (plant in early spring or fall): Vicia faba, Pisum sativum, Lens culinaris, Cicer arietinum
- Heat & Drought Tolerant: Vigna spp., Cajanus cajan, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Lathyrus sativus
- Soil Improvement: All legumes fix nitrogen, but woody perennials like Cajanus cajan and vigorous vines like Mucuna pruriens are particularly effective for green manure and cover cropping.
This table represents the most comprehensive selection of cultivated bean and legume species suitable for home gardeners, ranging from common staples to specialty and tropical varieties.
created: 2026-06-28T00:36
updated: 2026-06-28T00:38
Bean Species
give me a table of all cultivated bean seeds, plus those great for home gardeners