Do bean plants regrow yearly?
Written by
Julia Anderson
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Bean plants go through their entire life cycle in the course of one season and must be replanted again the following year. When I tried to overwinter Scarlet Runner beans in zone 9, it was not very successful. Only three plants emerged from the seeds that fell on the ground! Asparagus, a true perennial, will return every spring, but beans are an annual crop and must be planted anew each spring.
Annual Beans
- Full lifecycle in 60-120 days
- Die after seed production
- Require replanting yearly
- No persistent root systems
Self-Seeding Exceptions
- Scarlet Runner (zones 8-11)
- 10-15% natural reseeding rate
- Volunteer plants often weaker
- Not cold-hardy below 25°F
Self-seeding beans often do not perform as well as those planted intentionally. Those volunteer plants frequently do badly and yield 30% less than intended plants. I allowed Scarlet Runners to reseed in my California garden, but only 8 seeds led to viable plants from maybe 50 dropped seeds. To make sure the harvest is reliable each year, I would recommend planting fresh seeds.
Seed Saving
- Harvest dry pods before rain
- Store in airtight jars with silica gel
- 60°F storage preserves 90% viability
- Test germination yearly
Soil Prep
- Rotate bean beds yearly
- Add compost post-harvest
- Inoculate seeds with rhizobia
- Avoid nitrogen fertilizers
For the most productive results plant beans as annuals. In tropical zones, 12-13, pests and diseases reset the clock each year. I have a client in Hawaii who plants winged beans every 10 weeks to continue to harvest. This can be fun and gratifying, and every planting will bring more fresh ideas for stewardship.
Read the full article: When Plant Beans: Expert Timing for Every Garden
