How to grow Snake Beans in Australia
Snake beans, also called yardlong or asparagus beans (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis), are vigorous climbing beans with slender pods that grow 35 cm long or more. They are a close relative of black-eyed peas and love heat and humidity, so they keep cropping through summers that stop ordinary green beans.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Snake Beans in Australia
At a glance
When to sow by region
| 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 from October to December for a January to February crop, and protect plants from frost. There is no autumn sowing. |
| 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. |
Not to be confused with: Ordinary climbing green beans, which are a different species and drop their flowers in hot weather. Snake beans are a type of cowpea and thrive in heat.
Where to plant
Snake beans need full sun, warm weather and rich, well-drained soil. They grow best with average temperatures of about 20 to 30°C and are damaged by cold, frost and waterlogged soil. Put up a strong trellis, fence or frame about 2 m tall before sowing; the vines are vigorous and a tall support makes picking easier.
Their great strength is heat. Where French beans drop their flowers in a hot summer, snake beans keep setting pods.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, North Queensland and Darwin: sow from September to March. In the tropics they are a wet season staple.
- Sydney: sow from November to January, once the soil is above about 18°C.
- Perth and Adelaide: sow once the soil passes about 20°C, from October to January in Perth and in November and December in Adelaide. They set pods in heat that stops ordinary beans.
- Melbourne: sow from October to December in the warmest spot for a crop in January and February.
- Hobart and Canberra: not suited. Grow scarlet runner beans or broad beans instead.
How to plant
- Wait for warm soil. Snake bean seed rots in cold, wet soil.
- Set up a trellis about 2 m tall.
- Sow seed about 3 to 5 cm deep and about 20 cm apart along the base of the trellis.
- Water in well, then water lightly until the seedlings appear, usually within a week.
- Guide the young vines onto the trellis; they twine up on their own once they find it.
Watering and feeding
Water deeply and regularly, especially once flowering and podding start. Mulch the root area to hold moisture through the heat, but do not let the soil become waterlogged.
Feed lightly. Like other beans, snake beans fix some of their own nitrogen, and too much nitrogen gives a lot of leaf and few pods. Compost at planting and a seaweed tonic at flowering is plenty.
Pruning and care through the year
- Pick often. Pods grow quickly, and regular picking keeps new flowers and pods coming.
- Check shoot tips and flower stalks for aphids, and young plants for bean fly in Queensland and New South Wales.
Harvesting
First pods are usually ready six to ten weeks after sowing. Pick them while they are slender, smooth and still firm, before the seeds inside start to bulge; for most varieties that is about 25 to 35 cm long. In peak season you may need to pick daily.
Pods keep up to five days in a bag in the fridge. Blanched pods freeze well. Pods left to mature on the vine give dry beans for cooking or seed.
Growing in pots
Snake beans can grow in a large pot at least 30 cm wide and deep with a sturdy trellis. Use a rich potting mix and water often, as pots dry out quickly in summer heat.
Using it
Cut snake beans into short lengths and stir-fry them with garlic, chilli or shrimp paste, add them to curries and salads, or use them as you would green beans. They hold their crunch well in quick, hot cooking.
Saving seed
Leave some of the best pods on the vine until they turn dry and papery. Shell the seeds, dry them for another week or two, and store them in a cool, dry place. Seed stored well stays viable for several years.
Companion planting
Snake beans are tall and fast, so place them where their shade falls on crops that welcome it, not on sun lovers.
Good companions
- Corn A tall summer crop with the same warm-season timing; beans add nitrogen to the soil.
- Carrot A low crop that can grow along the base of the trellis without competing for light.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to snake beans.
Pests and diseases
Snake beans share the usual bean pests. Watch young plants closely in warm, humid weather.
Pests to watch for
- Bean fly Seedlings wilt and stems swell and crack just above the soil, in warm weather.
- Aphids Black aphids clustered on shoot tips, flower stalks and young pods.
Diseases to watch for
- Anthracnose Dark, sunken spots on the pods and stems, worst in wet weather. Avoid wetting the leaves.
- Powdery mildew White powdery patches on the leaves in humid weather.
Common questions
When should I plant snake beans?
In late spring and summer once the soil is warm: from September to March in Queensland, the Northern Rivers and the tropics, from November to January in Sydney, and from October to December in Melbourne. They are not suited to Hobart or Canberra.
How long do snake beans take to grow?
The first pods are usually ready about six to ten weeks after sowing, depending on the variety and the warmth. Once they start, they crop heavily.
How long should snake beans be when picked?
Pick them while they are slender and firm, before the seeds bulge, usually about 25 to 35 cm long. Older pods get tough and stringy.
Why are my snake beans not producing?
The usual causes are cool weather, too much nitrogen (lots of leaf, few pods), dry soil at flowering, or pods left to mature on the vine. Grow them in full sun and warmth, feed lightly, water well and pick often.
Are snake beans the same as green beans?
No. Snake beans are a type of cowpea, related to black-eyed peas, while ordinary green beans are a different species. Snake beans have much longer pods and handle heat far better.
Can I grow snake beans in a pot?
Yes, in a large pot at least 30 cm wide and deep with a tall trellis, rich potting mix and regular water.
Sources we checked: University of Florida IFAS: Long bean, an Asian vegetable emerging in Florida (HS1268); Sustainable Gardening Australia: Growing beans.