Colonia Morelos White Bean is a heat-loving tepary bean discovered growing under irrigation in the high desert of Sonora, Mexico, where Kickapoo Indians adopted it as a desert staple. This remarkably drought-tolerant variety produces abundantly in hot, dry climates with minimal water, thriving in zones 9, 11. The beans are white and productive, representing a living piece of agricultural adaptation and cultural exchange in the American Southwest.
—
Low
9-11
?in H x ?in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
This tepary bean emerged from the borderlands of northern Sonora, preserved by the Kickapoo people who recognized its extraordinary ability to flourish in arid conditions with far less water than conventional beans. The beans are strikingly productive despite the plant's low-water requirements, which makes it exceptional for gardeners in desert regions or those managing water carefully. Its origins at 4,000 feet elevation in the high desert demonstrate resilience across elevation ranges, yet it adapts equally well to lower desert zones.
As a dry bean, the Colonia Morelos White Bean is used in cooking much like other white beans; it can be cooked into soups, stews, or refried, and stores well for year-round use. Its exceptional drought tolerance makes it valuable not only as food but as a demonstration crop for gardeners learning to grow nutrient-dense legumes in water-limited settings.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds directly into warm soil once the threat of frost has passed and soil temperature reaches 70, 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant seeds 6 inches apart in rows spaced 24 inches apart. Plant at the depth typical for bean seeds, about 1 inch deep.
Harvest dried beans when the pods have fully matured and dried on the plant. The pods will be papery and brittle, and the beans inside will rattle when you shake them. Once pods are completely dry, remove them from the plant and shell the beans by hand or by gently crushing the pods. Spread shelled beans on a screen in a warm, dry location to finish drying before storage.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“The Colonia Morelos White Bean carries the story of cultural adaptation and seed preservation at the heart of the American Southwest. Found growing under irrigation in Colonia Morelos in northern Sonora, Mexico, this variety was adopted by the Kickapoo Indians, who originally migrated from Wisconsin and recognized in this bean a crop perfectly suited to their new desert homeland. The beans survived not through commercial breeding but through the careful stewardship of indigenous farmers who understood the demands of arid agriculture. Native Seeds/SEARCH recovered this variety from their Seed Bank Collection, ensuring that this agricultural heritage and the knowledge embedded in it would be preserved for future generations.”