Bush Bean
Dragon's Tongue bean turns every garden into a conversation starter with its spectacular purple-streaked yellow pods that look like they were painted by an artist. This unique heirloom bush variety delivers both visual drama and exceptional flavor in just 57 days, producing tender, stringless pods with a distinctly sweet, nutty taste. Compact plants require minimal support yet reward gardeners with striking beans that fade to creamy yellow when cooked, making them perfect for fresh eating or preserving.
Full Sun
Moderate
?-?
?in H x ?in W
Annual
Moderate
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The purple streaks dancing across bright yellow pods make Dragon's Tongue bean impossible to ignore in the garden. These compact bush plants produce tender, juicy pods that are completely stringless when harvested young, offering a sweet and nutty flavor that works beautifully fresh, steamed, or pickled. The dramatic color transformation from streaked purple to creamy yellow during cooking adds visual excitement to any meal.
Dragon's Tongue beans excel in fresh preparations where their striking appearance can shine, from raw salads to quick steams that preserve their vibrant color contrast. Their sweet, nutty flavor makes them exceptional for pickling, where the purple streaks create stunning preserves. The tender, stringless pods work beautifully in stir-fries and side dishes, transforming from their dramatic striped appearance to creamy yellow when cooked.
Direct sow Dragon's Tongue beans when soil temperatures reach at least 60°F, with optimal germination occurring in soil heated to 70-90°F.
Harvest Dragon's Tongue beans at 57 days when pods are tender and full-sized but before they become tough. For completely stringless beans, pick pods at a slightly smaller stage when they're still young and tender. The purple streaks will be most vibrant on fresh pods, fading to creamy yellow during cooking.
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