These plants need full sun and consistent moisture.

This will vary by region.

you might even wait until early summer.

runner beans growing

The Spruce / K. Dave

Selecting a Planting Site

Pick a planting site with good drainage and lots of sun.

Avoid planting near members of the onion family, as they can inhibit thegrowth of beans.

Container growth is also an option.

runner bean leaves

The Spruce / K. Dave

Leave around 2 inches between rows.

You will need to add supports for your beans at the time of planting.

Bamboo canes are a common support used, but you also can use a trellis or other structure.

runner bean harvest

The Spruce / K. Dave

Water

Runner beans require consistent moisture, but they never should be sitting in soggy soil.

Plan to water as often as needed to keep the soil lightly moist but not waterlogged.

In temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, bean production will slow.

dried runner beans

The Spruce / K. Dave

But it should pick up again once the weather cools.

A moderate humidity level is best for the plants.

But you’re free to pinch the tops once they’ve twined to the top of their supports.

runner beans sprouting

The Spruce / K. Dave

That way, they can focus their energy on producing flowers and pods rather than growing more foliage.

Propagating Runner Beans

Runner beans are best propagated via saved seeds.

This is an inexpensive and easy way to create more plants from a variety you particularly liked.

Green bean salad with pecans and dried cranberries

Simon Watson / Getty Images

Save the seeds in the summer or fall for planting the following spring.

Wait until the ground has warmed before planting outside.

But runner beans need a fairly large container to grow well.

The container must be heavy, so it can support stakes for the beans to climb.

Opt for a container that’s at least 30 inches wide and 18 inches deep.

The container must have drainage holes.

Unglazed clay is a good material, as it will allow excess soil moisture to evaporate through its walls.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Runner beans don’t usually have major problems with pests or diseases.

Potential diseases include mosaic virus, blight, anthracnose, andpowdery mildew.

And you should be able to harvest until frost arrives in the fall.

Check for harvestable beans every few days to keep the production going.

The pods are ready when you’re free to snap them cleanly from the vine.

you could store your beans in the refrigerator for about a week for cooking.

They also must be protected from frost.

Runner beans are not an easy crop to grow indoors.

They require lots of sunlight to flower and produce pods.

They also need insects for pollination.

Cornell University Department of Animal Science.