VegetableBean
Mascotte Bean
Bush Bean
Winner of the prestigious All-America Selections award in 2014, Mascotte is a French-bred bush bean that lives up to its name as a 'lucky charm' for gardeners with limited space. This compact variety reaches just 12-24 inches tall and thrives in containers, yet produces an abundance of tender, stringless green beans in about 50 days. Hardy across zones 3-9 and resistant to multiple diseases including anthracnose and bean common mosaic virus, Mascotte proves that small plants can deliver big harvests.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/bean-bush-mascotte)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
High
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Preferred Temp65-85°F
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
PeriodAnnual
TypeBush
Spacing
6 inches apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
High
Zones
3-9
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
What sets Mascotte apart is its exceptional space efficiency without sacrificing productivity. This French-bred variety was specifically developed for container gardening, making it perfect for urban gardeners and small spaces. Its disease resistance package protects against major bean ailments, while the compact growth habit eliminates the need for trellising. The tender, stringless pods stay sweet and crisp, ideal for fresh eating straight from the garden or quick cooking preparations.
Common Uses
Mascotte beans excel as a fresh eating variety, perfect for enjoying raw in salads or as a crunchy garden snack. Their tender, stringless pods make them ideal for quick cooking methods like steaming, stir-frying, or sautéing, where their crisp texture and sweet flavor shine. The pods can also be blanched and frozen for later use, making them a versatile ingredient for year-round cooking.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Summer
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sowing is strongly preferred since bean roots are delicate and easily damaged during transplanting. Plant seeds after the last frost when soil temperatures reach 60-70°F, sowing them about 1 inch deep in well-drained, fertile soil. Space seeds 2-4 inches apart with rows 12-18 inches apart for proper airflow.
Harvesting
Begin harvesting about 50 days after planting, typically 2 weeks after flowering begins. Pick pods when they're slender, about 5-6 inches long, and firm to the touch but not bulging with seeds. The pods should snap easily when ready and be about as thick as a pencil with small, undeveloped seeds inside. Harvest in the morning for best flavor, picking at least every 3-5 days to encourage continued production. Regular harvesting is key to maintaining yields throughout the season.
Growing Calendar
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Soil pH Range
5.5 – 6.5
Scientific Classification
Phaseolus L.
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Phaseolus
History & Origin
“Mascotte was developed by French breeders with a specific mission: creating a container-friendly variety that could deliver high productivity in small spaces without compromising on flavor or disease resistance. The variety earned recognition when it won the All-America Selections award in 2014, praised for its compact growth habit, excellent yield, and superior flavor. French breeders focused on developing a bean that would thrive in the increasingly popular container gardening movement while maintaining the tender, stringless quality that makes green beans so appealing for fresh eating.”