Rattlesnake Bean
Best reliable producer for home garden enthusiasts.
Rattlesnake beans offer a dual harvest, providing tender, edible pods in summer and hearty, flavorful dried beans for winter. These plants produce beautiful, 7-inch long, purple-striped green beans that mature into auburn and brown speckled seeds. Rich in fiber and antioxidants, beans are also nitrogen-fixing legumes that enrich the soil. They thrive in full sun and require consistent, moderate watering. Direct sowing is recommended due to their delicate root systems. Harvest pods regularly to encourage further production.
$3.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
3241
/ 6513
#3241 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-63%
Below average
Plant Type
Pole, Runner, Yard Long Bean
/ Pole, Runner, Yard Long Bean
Who it's for
- Gardeners who appreciate unique aesthetics and vibrant garden displays.
- Home chefs seeking gourmet quality and delicious, fresh garden produce.
- Productive gardeners aiming for plentiful harvests from their efforts.
Who should skip it
- Gardeners with small spaces or those preferring minimal structural setup.
- Busy individuals who prefer quick, straightforward, and easy harvesting.
- Impatient growers desiring rapid gratification from their planting efforts.
Performance breakdown
Harvest Versatility
Dual-purpose pods and dried beans maximize utility throughout the growing season.
Soil Enrichment
Nitrogen-fixing capabilities actively improve garden health while producing a bountiful crop.
Visual Appeal
Striking purple-striped pods add significant ornamental value to any vegetable patch.
Germination Reliability
High minimum germination rates ensure consistent success for direct-sowing gardeners.
Ease of Cultivation
Requires consistent care and vertical support to manage vigorous pole growth.
Seed Saving Potential
Open-pollinated genetics allow for easy, reliable seed collection for future seasons.
Key Specs
Plant Type
Pole, Runner, Yard Long Bean
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
75-80 days
Planting Season
Spring, Summer
USDA Hardiness Zone
Not specified
Mature Height
Not specified
Mature Spread
Not specified
Pest Resistant
No
Know before you buy
Rattlesnake beans are not recommended for containers. As a pole variety, they require significant vertical space and a sturdy trellis system to support their growth.
For fresh eating, pick the pods while they are tender and green with purple streaks. To harvest for dried beans, leave the pods on the vine until they turn brown and brittle, then shell them to store the speckled seeds for winter.
Direct sowing is highly recommended. These beans have delicate root systems that do not transplant well, so it is best to plant them directly into the garden soil once the danger of frost has passed.
No extra effort is needed. As nitrogen-fixing legumes, these plants naturally enrich the soil with nitrogen as they grow, which can benefit your garden beds for future plantings.
To maximize your harvest, pick the pods regularly throughout the summer. Frequent harvesting prevents the plant from focusing its energy on seed production, which encourages it to continue producing new pods.
Yes, because this is an open-pollinated variety, you can successfully save the seeds from your dried beans to plant in future seasons.
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$4