Runner bean

Phaseolus coccineus

Vine
Frost tender

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Human edibility

Edible

Edible parts

young green pods, flowers, young leaves, beans (cooked)

Hazardous parts

seeds (raw or undercooked)

Preparation

Do not eat raw or undercooked beans (NC State). FDA's Bad Bug Book (red kidney bean chapter, applied here by analogy because it names no runner-bean figure): soak at least 5 hours and pour the water away, then boil in fresh water for at least 30 minutes; do not use a slow cooker, which often does not get hot enough. Raw beans can cause symptoms with as few as four or five beans, with onset in 1-3 hours.

Hazard type

lectin (phytohaemagglutinin, trace amounts)

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No source we checked assesses this plant for pets, so the app makes no pet claim either way.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Plants that share its name. To tell them apart: NC State lists Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) as a plant it is often confused with. NC State's own common-name list includes 'Snap bean' for this species, which in the US usually means the common bean..

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA hardiness zones 7a to 11b (US system). UK zone figures not read.
Mature size: Height 8-12 ft; width 3-5 ft.
Family: Fabaceae (legume family)
Where it comes from: Mexico to Nicaragua (NC State); NC State also says native to Central and South America.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon