How to grow Snake Beans in Australia

Difficulty: Beginner
Sun: Full sun
Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 2 days
Spacing: 20 cm
Time to harvest: 55 days
Time to germinate: 7 days
Soil pH: 6 to 7.5
Frost tolerance: Frost tender

Plant in full sun in warm, rich, well drained soil after all chance of cold has passed. These tall climbers need a sturdy trellis to twine up.

At a glance

Region	When to sow	Regional note
South East Queensland	September to March
Northern Rivers NSW	September to March
Sydney & Coastal NSW	November to January	Productive on the frost-free coast and warm suburbs. Sow Nov to Jan once soil passes 18°C (late Oct in hot sheltered spots).
Melbourne & Victoria	October to December	Frost-tender perennial vine. Sow Nov to Dec for Jan to Feb crop; protect from frost. Remove Mar to Apr sowings.
Adelaide & SA	November and December	Sow Nov to Dec once soil passes 20C. Snake beans keep setting pods through heat that stops ordinary beans.
Perth & WA	October to January	The summer bean exception: a Vigna that sets pods in heat where French beans drop flowers. Sow Oct to Jan once soil passes 20C. The January bean.
Tasmania	Not suited	Unsuitable. Tropical bean that needs hot nights. Grow scarlet runners instead.
Canberra & ACT	Not suited	Snake Beans unsuitable for Canberra: tropical climbing legume; frost-intolerant. Use cool-season beans (broad, peas) instead.
North Queensland	September to March	Wet season staple Sep to Mar. Snake beans are tropical staple legume; thrive in humidity and heat.
Darwin & Top End	September to March	Wet season staple Sep to Mar. Snake beans are tropical staple legume; thrive in humidity and heat.

Pick while pods are long, slender and still firm before the seeds bulge. Snap or snip them off and keep picking, as regular harvest drives more pods.

Fridge in a bag, up to 5 days. Blanch and freeze well.