VegetableBean
Purple Mart Tsu in Yard Long Bean
Purple Mart Tsu In Yard Long Bean is a heat-loving Asian heirloom that has been cultivated for centuries across India and China, prized for its stunning deep purple pods that stretch to about 20 inches long. This vigorous vining annual thrives in warm-season gardens across zones 3 to 11, maturing in 70 to 79 days and producing abundantly from a single planting. The pods are tender and snappy when harvested young, and the plant's generous yields make it a rewarding choice for gardeners seeking something visually striking and culturally rooted.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Growth Stats
108 in
Height
TypeVining
Spacing
4
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-11
Size
108in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
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Highlights
Those deep purple pods are genuinely gorgeous on the vine, and they're not just for show. The plant's been prized in Asian kitchens for centuries precisely because it produces generously and handles heat without complaint. At 60 to 108 inches tall, it's a substantial viner that demands trellising, but that vertical growth habit actually makes harvesting easier and more rewarding. Open-pollinated and heirloom-certified, you can save seeds year after year if you let a few pods mature on the plant.
Common Uses
These tender, snappy pods excel in stir-fries, where their length and delicate texture absorb flavors beautifully. They're equally at home steamed, blanched, or curried, and young pods can be harvested and cooked whole. The pods' extended length makes them especially suited to Asian cooking methods, though they adapt well to any preparation where snap beans would shine.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperature reaches at least 65°F, pushing seeds into warm soil about 1 inch deep. Spaced 4 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart, seeds germinate reliably within 10 to 14 days in warm conditions.
Harvesting
Begin harvesting when pods reach 5 to 8 inches long and are still bright purple, tender, and snappy to the touch; this typically occurs around 70 to 79 days from sowing. Regular harvesting every 2 to 3 days encourages the plant to keep flowering and producing new pods. Pods that are allowed to mature fully will eventually turn brown and dry, at which point you can leave them on the vine for seed saving if desired.
Pruning
As a pole bean with vigorous vining growth, this variety benefits from tying stems to sturdy support structures, but actual pruning is minimal. Remove any dead or damaged foliage as the season progresses, and pinch back the growing tip once the vine reaches the top of its support if you want to encourage bushier, more productive side growth.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Vigna
Growth Habit
Vining
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)VI (I)
History & Origin
“Purple Mart Tsu In represents centuries of careful selection in Indian and Chinese home gardens, where gardeners recognized and preserved its exceptional pod color and prolific bearing. This open-pollinated heirloom has traveled through generations of seed savers who valued both its ornamental appeal and culinary reliability. The variety maintains its integrity through traditional seed saving, which is why modern gardeners can grow the exact same bean their counterparts cultivated across Asia for generations.”