FORTEX
Best pole bean for home gardeners seeking gourmet, stringless harvests.
Discover the gourmet quality of Fortex pole beans, a stringless French/filet type celebrated for its rich, sweet flavor and impressively long pods, often exceeding 10 inches. These vigorous plants grow to about 6 feet, requiring sturdy trellising. Fortex beans are naturally resistant to Anthracnose and Bean Mosaic Virus, promising a productive harvest. Enjoy their tender texture and crisp bite, perfect for cooking, canning, or serving fresh. These annual vegetables are an excellent choice for home gardens, delivering a delicious and reliable yield.
$5.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
270
/ 5887
#270 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-44%
Below average
Days to Maturity
70
/ days
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking maximum output from a single planting
- Home cooks prioritizing tender texture and gourmet flavor
- Urban growers maximizing small vertical garden spaces
Who should skip it
- Gardeners wanting a low-maintenance, no-trellis setup
- Busy growers unable to commit to daily harvest schedules
- Impatient gardeners needing the fastest possible harvest turnaround
Performance breakdown
Culinary Quality
Exceptional flavor and tender texture define this gourmet filet bean variety.
Disease Resistance
Strong natural defenses against Anthracnose and Bean Mosaic Virus ensure reliability.
Yield Potential
Vigorous growth habits produce a consistent, high-volume harvest for home gardeners.
Ease of Harvest
Long, straight pods make picking efficient and satisfying for the grower.
Trellis Requirement
Requires sturdy vertical support to manage its six-foot climbing growth habit.
Germination Reliability
High minimum germination rates provide confidence for successful seasonal planting.
Key Specs
Days to Maturity
70 days
Plant Height
72 inches
Water Needs
High
Plant Type
Vegetable
Life Cycle
Annual
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun
Planting Season
Spring
Seed Form
Loose Seeds
Features
- Exceptionally long pods over 10 inches
- Stringless French/filet type bean
- Rich, sweet flavor
- Vigorous plants require trellising
- Resistant to Anthracnose and Bean Mosaic Virus
- Productive and tender
- Very good taste; crisp
What customers say
FORTEX pole bean seeds earn top marks primarily for exceptional yield and superior bean quality. Gardeners consistently report vigorous growth and reliable germination, leading to prolific harvests extending late into the season. The harvested beans are highly praised for being long, straight, stringless, and possessing a remarkably tender texture and sweet flavor, making them excellent for fresh use or preservation. This variety maintains quality well after processing. While these pole beans require support, the massive harvest volume makes the effort worthwhile. FORTEX is celebrated as a reliable, high-performing staple that consistently exceeds expectations for both flavor and production.
Know before you buy
Yes, these plants are vigorous climbers that reach about 6 feet in height. You will need a sturdy trellis, fence, or netting to support their growth and ensure a productive harvest.
You can expect to start harvesting your beans approximately 70 days after planting. For the best texture and flavor, harvest the pods while they are tender.
Yes, Fortex is a French filet-type bean known for being completely stringless. This makes them much easier to prepare for cooking, canning, or eating fresh.
For optimal germination, ensure your soil temperature is between 60–85°F. Plant the seeds 1 inch deep and keep the soil consistently moist, as these beans have high water needs.
Fortex beans are naturally resistant to both Anthracnose and Bean Mosaic Virus. This built-in resistance helps ensure a more reliable and healthy yield throughout the growing season.
Space your seeds 2–4 inches apart when planting. Once they emerge, thin the plants to 4 inches apart to ensure proper airflow and room for the vines to develop.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$6