VegetableBean
Royalty Purple Pod Bean
Bush Bean
The Royalty Purple Pod Bean commands attention with its vibrant deep purple pods that glow against emerald foliage, making harvest time feel like treasure hunting. Born from the vision of Dr. Elwyn Meader at the University of New Hampshire in 1957, this remarkable bush bean thrives in zones 3-9 and delivers its first harvest in just 50-59 days. Growing 12-24 inches tall with stunning purple flowers, it transforms ordinary garden rows into colorful displays while producing 5-6 inch pods that turn green when cooked.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Preferred Temp65-85°F
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
—
Width
4 in
Spacing
50–59
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual
TypeBush
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-9
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
What truly sets Royalty apart is its unique ability to germinate in cooler soils than other beans, allowing earlier spring plantings when most varieties would sulk. The deep purple coloration comes from beneficial anthocyanins with antioxidant properties, making this bean as nutritious as it is beautiful. Mexican bean beetles naturally avoid these purple pods, providing built-in pest protection that saves gardeners countless headaches. This open-pollinated heirloom offers reliable genetics for seed saving while delivering the robust yields that made it famous among New England gardeners for over six decades.
Common Uses
These striking purple pods shine in fresh preparations where their dramatic color makes everyday dishes memorable, though they transform to traditional green when cooked through steaming, sautéing, or blanching. The tender, flavorful pods excel as snap beans when harvested young and crisp, perfect for fresh garden salads, stir-fries, or simply steamed with butter. Their sturdy texture holds up well to preservation methods, making them excellent candidates for pickling or freezing for winter meals.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Summer
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Late Summer
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Plant seeds directly in garden soil after the last frost when soil temperature reaches at least 60°F, though this variety tolerates cooler conditions better than other beans. Space seeds 4 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart in well-worked, fertile soil in full sun.
Harvesting
Harvest when pods reach 5-6 inches long and snap easily with a crisp, firm texture, typically 50-59 days from planting. The deep purple pods stand out dramatically against green foliage, making them easy to spot during picking sessions. Gently pull pods from the plant or use scissors to snip them cleanly, minimizing damage to the plant and encouraging continued production throughout the growing season.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Phaseolus L.
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Phaseolus
Duration
Annual
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)VI (I)
History & Origin
“The Royalty Purple Pod Bean emerged from the dedicated breeding work of Dr. Elwyn Meader at the University of New Hampshire, who developed this distinctive variety specifically for its unique purple coloration and superior cold tolerance. Introduced to the gardening world by the Billy Hepler Seed Company in 1957, Royalty was bred to solve the common problem of beans refusing to germinate in cool spring soils. This breakthrough allowed Northern gardeners to plant earlier in the season, extending their growing window and improving harvests in shorter growing seasons.”