VegetableBean
Landreth Stringless Bean
Landreth Stringless Bean is an heirloom snap bean originating in the United States, beloved by generations of gardeners for its tender pods and reliable harvests. This upright bush variety reaches 18-24 inches tall and produces mature pods in just 50-59 days, making it fast enough for succession planting through summer. Growing in zones 3-9, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and adapts well to gardens, containers, and raised beds. The stringless pods snap cleanly off the vine with minimal fuss, and the plant's natural drought tolerance means it handles dry spells with grace.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
6
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-9
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The Landreth name carries weight in American seed history, and this variety lives up to its heritage with a delicious flavor and hardiness that has kept gardeners coming back for generations. Heavy yields come from compact, upright plants that won't sprawl across your bed, making this a practical choice for tight spaces without sacrificing productivity. Its resistance to Bean Common Mosaic Virus, Bacterial Blight, and Powdery Mildew gives you real peace of mind, while the drought tolerance means you can skip some waterings and still harvest armfuls of tender beans.
Common Uses
Snap beans from Landreth Stringless are at their best simply steamed or sautéed until tender-crisp, where their clean flavor shines without competition. They're excellent fresh in summer salads, blanched and shocked to preserve their bright green color for later use, or roasted to develop deeper flavors. The stringless trait means minimal prep work, making them especially practical for canning whole or cutting into pieces for storage.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds into warm soil once all frost danger has passed and soil temperature reaches 60-75°F. Plant seeds 1 inch deep and thin seedlings to 6 inches apart once they've emerged and developed their first true leaves.
Harvesting
Pick pods when they're full-sized but still tender and crisp, before the beans inside bulge noticeably through the pod wall. At 50-59 days from planting, begin checking regularly for harvest-ready pods. Snap the pods cleanly from the vine with a slight twist, or pinch them off to avoid damaging the plant. Frequent harvesting encourages continued flowering and production, so aim to pick every 2-3 days during peak season.
Growing Calendar
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Phaseolus vulgaris
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Phaseolus
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)VI (I)
History & Origin
“The Landreth Stringless Bush Bean carries the legacy of D. Landreth Seed Company, one of America's oldest seed houses. Also known as 'Sunray' or 'Idelight,' this variety represents the careful selection work that American seed companies undertook to give home gardeners beans without strings, eliminating the tedious task of destringing that plagued earlier varieties. It's an open-pollinated, heirloom cultivar that generations of gardeners have saved and replanted, making it part of the living seed-saving tradition that keeps America's vegetable heritage alive.”