Bean Improved Purple Queen Seed
Best resilient bean variety for early-season home gardeners.
Introducing the Improved Purple Queen bean, a garden favorite renowned for its abundant harvest of deep purple pods, measuring 5.5 to 6 inches. These beans offer exceptional flavor and are easy to pick, though their color softens to green when cooked. This resilient variety is resistant to BCMV and Curly Top Virus, and it thrives in cooler weather, making it a dependable choice for early-season planting and a bountiful garden.
$3.59
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
270
/ 5876
#270 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-66%
Below average
Soil Temperature
6570
/ -°F
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking effortless and efficient harvesting
- Space-conscious growers wanting low-maintenance vegetable patches
- Home cooks prioritizing tender, high-quality snap beans
Who should skip it
- Culinary enthusiasts prioritizing vibrant, colorful presentation
- Gardeners in regions prone to common bean diseases
- Busy growers unable to monitor daily harvest windows
Performance breakdown
Disease Resistance
Strong protection against BCMV and Curly Top Virus ensures healthier crops.
Early Season Reliability
Thrives in cooler soil temperatures, perfect for getting a head start.
Harvest Efficiency
Deep purple pods stand out clearly against foliage for effortless picking.
Yield Potential
Highly productive hybrid variety designed for a bountiful garden harvest.
Culinary Versatility
Excellent flavor, though the vibrant color disappears during the cooking process.
Growth Speed
Rapid 52-day maturation cycle allows for quick turnaround in the garden.
Key Specs
Soil Temperature
65-70°F
Germination Days
6-10 Days
Seeding Depth
1.25-1.5"
Maturation Days
52 Days
Spacing in Row
2-4"
Spacing Between Rows
2-3'
Life Cycle
Annual
Plant Type
Vegetable
Features
- Productive dark purple bean variety
- Easy-to-pick pods
- Tolerates cool weather
- Excellent flavor
- Disease resistant
- Color fades to green when cooked
What customers say
The Purple Queen Seed is highly valued for its exceptional reliability and striking appearance. Gardeners consistently report outstanding germination success, minimizing wasted effort. The deep, vibrant purple hue offers significant aesthetic appeal to any vegetable patch. A major benefit is its bush habit, which simplifies gardening by eliminating the need for extensive trellising, making it ideal for smaller spaces. Furthermore, the beans are praised for their culinary quality: tender, stringless, and notably sweet, perfect for fresh eating. Yields are heavy and continuous, boosting the overall value. This variety successfully blends novelty, high quality, and dependable performance for a superior gardening experience.
Know before you buy
No, the deep purple color of the pods fades to green once they are cooked. The purple pigment is heat-sensitive, but the flavor remains excellent regardless of the color change.
While this variety is known for its cool-weather tolerance, you should still aim for a soil temperature between 65-70°F for the best germination results. Planting in soil that is too cold can lead to poor or uneven sprouting.
You can expect to start harvesting your beans approximately 52 days after planting. The pods reach a harvestable length of 5.5 to 6 inches.
Yes, the Improved Purple Queen is a resilient hybrid variety specifically bred for resistance to BCMV (Bean Common Mosaic Virus) and Curly Top Virus, making it a reliable choice for home gardens.
For optimal growth and airflow, space your seeds 2 to 4 inches apart within the row. If you are planting multiple rows, leave 2 to 3 feet of space between them.
Plant your seeds at a depth of 1.25 to 1.5 inches. This depth provides the right balance of protection and access to the warmth needed for successful germination.
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