How to Tell the Difference Between Bush Beans and Pole Beans

Green beans grow in two styles: bush and pole. Bush beans are green beans that grow on a short, bushy plant. Common bush bean varieties include Blue Lake Bush, Roma II (Romano), Masai (Filet), and heirloom Kentucky Wonder Bush. Bush bean plants:

• Grow up to two feet tall. Since bush beans only reach up to two feet tall and two feet wide, you can plant them very close together in a smaller garden.
• Don’t require support. Bush bean plants grow short and squat, so they don’t require a trellis or other support to thrive.
• Have a shorter production time. Bush beans mature slightly faster than pole beans, and are usually ready to harvest within 40 to 60 days of planting.
• Produce all their beans in two weeks. Bush beans generate all of their produce over a relatively short time period, usually within one to two weeks, after which the plant will cease to produce.
• Can be disease-prone. Bush beans can be susceptible to a wide variety of plant diseases and viruses, including powdery mildew, anthracnose, and mosaic virus (transmitted by aphids).

Green beans grow in two styles: bush and pole. Pole beans, also known as runner beans, are green beans that grow tall on climbing vines. Common pole bean varieties include Kentucky Blue, Blue Lake Pole, Scarlet Runner, and heirloom Kentucky Wonder Pole. Pole bean plants:

• Grow up to 12 feet tall. Pole beans are large and impressive plants, usually growing at least six feet tall and often up to 12 feet. Pole beans need ample space to grow, and won’t grow well in compact areas.
• Require trellises or other support. Since pole beans grow tall, they’ll need a form of support to grow on (hence their name, “pole beans”). Common pole bean support systems include a trellis, fence, teepee, or a sturdy cornstalk.
• Have a longer production time. Pole beans take slightly longer than bush beans to produce their crop, usually between 10 and 15 additional days.
• Have a longer harvest. Pole beans draw a lot of energy from their vines and leaves, meaning they can continue producing beans over a period of time as long as one month, with continual harvesting.
• Are more disease-resistant. Pole beans are slightly hardier than their bush bean relatives, and aren’t as susceptible to the range of diseases that can plague bush beans.

There are many types of green beans that you can grow (filet, wax beans, long beans, stringless), but the biggest difference is their growing style: bush or pole. If you’re wondering which type of bean seed is right for you, here’s what you should consider:

• Size: Bush beans grow up to two feet tall and you can plant seeds within six inches of other bush bean plants, while pole beans can grow up to 12 feet tall and need ample space to grow. If your garden bed is compact, plant bush beans; if your vegetable garden has a lot of space (especially vertical space), pole beans are a better option.
• Support needs: Since bush beans grow short and sturdy, they don’t have any special support needs, while pole beans need a sturdy trellis or bamboo poles to grow up. If you want a relatively low-maintenance plant and don’t feel like setting up support systems in your garden, bush beans are the right choice for you; if you don’t mind the extra work, plant pole beans.
• Production: Bush beans mature quickly and generate their produce all at once, while pole beans take a bit more time to mature but continue producing beans longer. If you want a quick crop that requires less harvesting time, bush beans will work great; if you’re willing to wait for production, and harvest beans daily over the course of a month, grow pole beans. (Another option is succession planting your bush beans, so that you get harvests throughout the growing season.)
• Hardiness: Bush beans can be susceptible to a wider range of diseases and viruses, while pole beans are slightly more disease-resistant. If you’re willing to research bean diseases and protect your plants against them, bush beans are a good choice; if you don’t want to worry as much about your plants’ health, then pole beans are a better option.

Bush beans and pole beans grow very differently, but they also share many common features:

• Both require mild soil temperatures. Both bush and pole beans enjoy soil and air temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and grow best when planted just after the last frost date.
• Both require full sun. Whether you’re growing bush beans or pole beans, you’ll need to plant them in an area that gets at least eight hours a day of sun for the plants to thrive.
• Both are nitrogen fixers. All legumes, regardless of their growing styles, are nitrogen fixers, meaning they take nitrogen from the air and replenish the soil with it.
• Both produce delicious crops. If you grow the same variety of bean in both bush and pole style, you may have a hard time telling the green pods apart. All bean plants, regardless of growth habits, will produce a great crop for you to enjoy.

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