How to grow Yardlong Beans
Updated October 2026
Yardlong beans, also called asparagus beans or Chinese long beans, are vigorous climbing relatives of the Southern pea that thrive in heat, humidity and even drought, just when ordinary green beans give up. The vines climb 9 to 12 feet and bear slender pods that can reach well over a foot long. Grow them on a tall trellis and pick them every day or two.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Yardlong Beans
Not to be confused with: Yardlong beans are a kind of cowpea, the same species as Southern peas (black-eyed peas), not a true green bean. Winged beans are a different tropical climber with four-ridged pods.
Where to plant
Plant yardlong beans in full sun against a sturdy trellis at least 6 feet tall, or on a tepee of poles and netting. They grow in sandy loam to clay soils, ideally with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5, and a raised row helps where drainage is poor. They tolerate heat, humidity and drought better than snap beans.
Seed needs warm soil, at least about 65°F and ideally 75°F, so wait until summer weather has settled in.
- North Florida, the Gulf South and Texas: sow from April to June, and North Florida can grow a second crop in late summer for fall.
- Central Florida: sow in spring and again in August. South Florida: spring, and again from September through the cooler season.
- Desert Southwest: sow in March and April, and again in August.
- California: sow from spring into summer once the soil is warm.
- Mid-South, Mid-Atlantic and Southern Plains: sow from May to July.
- Northeast, Midwest, Northern Plains and Mountain West: sow in late May or June in warm soil; a long, hot summer is needed for a good crop.
- Pacific Northwest west of the Cascades: summers are usually too cool for a reliable crop.
- Hawaii: sow year round. Alaska: only in a tunnel or greenhouse.
Choosing a variety
Green-podded types are the standard, with light and dark green forms. Red Noodle has striking deep red pods that keep some color when lightly cooked. Pods of most varieties are at least 18 inches long at full size, but they are best picked younger.
How to plant
- Set up the trellis before sowing.
- Sow seed about 1 inch deep, 6 to 8 inches apart along the base of the support, once the soil is warm.
- If the bed has not grown beans or peas before, a bean inoculant (Rhizobium) on the seed can help the roots fix nitrogen.
- Guide young vines onto the trellis; they twine and climb quickly once started.
Watering and feeding
Yardlong beans tolerate drought, but steady watering gives more and better pods, especially once flowering starts. Water at the base.
As legumes, they need little nitrogen; too much gives lush vines and few pods. Compost at planting is usually enough.
Harvesting
Pick pods young and pencil-thin, usually about 10 to 12 inches long or a little longer, before the seeds swell and the pods become fibrous. Pods grow very fast, so check the vines every day or two. Frequent picking keeps the plants producing.
Pods appear in pairs after the violet, white or yellow flowers are pollinated by bees. Store them in a bag in the fridge for a few days, or blanch and freeze.
Using it
Cut into short lengths and stir-fry with garlic, chili or black bean sauce, add to curries, or use in place of green beans. They hold their texture better when cooked than eaten raw.
Companion planting
Yardlong beans are a tall summer crop. Plant them where they will not shade sun-loving neighbors.
Good companions
- Carrot A low root crop for the sunny side of the trellis.
- Sweet Corn Shares the warm summer season and full sun.
- Corn
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to yardlong beans.
Pests and diseases
Yardlong beans share the pests of Southern peas. Aphids and stink bugs are the most common.
Pests to watch for
- Aphids Dense clusters of black aphids on shoot tips, flowers and young pods.
- Stink bugs Shield-shaped bugs on the pods, leaving dimpled, deformed beans.
- Root-knot nematodes Stunted, yellowing plants with knotted roots, mainly in sandy southern soils.
Diseases to watch for
- Anthracnose Dark, sunken spots on pods and stems in wet weather; avoid working among wet vines.
Common questions
How long should yardlong beans be when I pick them?
Pick them young and slender, usually around 10 to 12 inches or a little longer, before the beans inside bulge. Fully grown pods can reach 18 inches to 3 feet but become tough.
When should I plant yardlong beans?
Once the soil has warmed to at least about 65°F, from late spring into summer. In Florida, plant in spring and again in late summer or fall. Choose your region at the top of the page for the months.
Do yardlong beans need a trellis?
Yes. The vines grow 9 to 12 feet, so give them a trellis or tepee at least 6 feet tall, which also makes picking much easier.
Are yardlong beans related to green beans?
Not closely. They are a cowpea, the same species as Southern peas, which is why they handle heat so much better than green beans.
How long do yardlong beans take to produce?
About 40 to 70 days from sowing, depending on the variety and the weather. Once they start, pick every day or two.
Can I grow yardlong beans in the North?
Yes, where summers are warm. Sow in late May or June once the soil is warm and give them the sunniest spot. In cool coastal areas such as western Washington and Oregon, they rarely crop well.
Sources we checked: UF/IFAS: Long bean, an Asian vegetable emerging in Florida (HS1268); UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County: Yard long beans, plus or minus thirty-six inches; UF/IFAS: Yardlong bean, Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (MV029); Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs: Yard-long bean.
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