Purple King Pole

Family: Fabaceae Vegetable

Velvety, inky-purple pods hang in graceful arcs, catching the light with a satin sheen before turning tender and sweet on the vine.

Purple King Pole delivers crisp, snap-forward texture and a rich, garden-fresh flavor that shines in quick skillet-style favorites, fresh platters, and vibrant pickling brines. Train it up and enjoy a steady harvest rhythm—each picking brings more glossy pods to the trellis.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Clumping

Botanical illustration of Purple King Pole

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Purple King Pole pods hold a tight, snap-forward texture and a gentle nuttiness, so they don’t need long heat—hit them fast and hot, and they stay crisp. Their purple skin turns green when cooked, but the sweetness and silky mouthfeel make them a better choice than plain green beans for skillet sizzles and punchy brines.

Best Uses

quick skillet sauté with garlic and chili before the beans lose their snap
fresh bean ribbons in a lemony vinaigrette salad (cool and crisp)
hot quick pickle brine for jewel-tone crunch
steam, then toss with brown butter and toasted almonds

Flavor Profile

snap-crisp green bean bite sweet, slightly nutty legume flavor satin-tender pods that cook fast inky-purple exterior that turns greener with heat

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon chili flakes brown butter toasted almonds balsamic vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly hit Phaseolus vulgaris (Purple King Pole) and how can I control them?

Watch for bean rust and common bacterial blight, which often show as reddish-brown spots or leaf blighting during humid weather. Remove infected leaves promptly and avoid watering the foliage—water the soil at the base and improve airflow around the trellis. Also check for aphids and Mexican bean beetles; knock aphids off with a strong spray and hand-pick beetles early, then keep plants healthy with consistent watering and full sun.

How often should I water Purple King Pole beans during the main growing phase?

During flowering and pod set, keep the soil evenly moist with about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings if it’s hot or dry. Don’t let the soil swing from dry to soggy—dry stress can cause poor pod set, while waterlogged soil encourages disease. A simple check: the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) should feel lightly moist, not wet and not dry.

How do I know when Purple King Pole (Phaseolus vulgaris) beans are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the pods are tender and snap easily, typically about 55 days from sowing, but timing depends on heat and your specific planting date. For the best eating quality, pick every 2–3 days once pods start forming, before seeds bulge noticeably inside the pod. If pods feel tough or the stringy seam is prominent, they’re past peak and should be removed to encourage more production.