Red Dragon

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Tender, ribbonlike pods unfurl in striking crimson—so vivid they seem lit from within—while the interior stays sweet and pleasantly crisp.

“Red Dragon” asparagus bean delivers slender, meaty pods with a clean snap and a delicate, green-bean flavor that shines in quick skillet roasting, fresh snacking, and vibrant stir-fries, as well as silky sauces and bright pickles. Grow it for a garden-to-plate showpiece: fast to mature at about 55 days, and reliably productive for home harvesters.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Clumping

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)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

These asparagus beans cook like fine green snaps—roast or stir-fry fast so the crimson pods blister but the interior stays crisp-tender, not collapsed. Their sweet, delicate bean flavor loves sharp acids and aromatics, which make them taste vivid instead of vegetal.

Best Uses

hot skillet roasting to blister the crimson skins while keeping a snappy core
quick stir-fries where they stay ribbon-crisp (no mush)
bright, briny pickles that emphasize crunch
silky, pod-based puree/sauce for a clean green accent

Flavor Profile

sweet green-bean flavor slender, meaty snap crisp-tender interior with clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon olive oil ginger sesame oil shallots

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Vigna sesquipedalis (red yardlong/Red Dragon beans), and how do I control it?

Watch for aphids and spider mites, which can build up quickly in hot, dry weather and cause leaf stippling or curling. Rinse plants with a strong jet of water, then spray insecticidal soap (or horticultural oil) and repeat every 5–7 days until numbers drop. Also check for fungal spots—avoid wetting leaves and remove heavily spotted foliage early to slow spread.

How often should I water Vigna sesquipedalis during the main growing phase (from flowering through pod fill)?

Keep the root zone evenly moist, not soggy: water about 2–3 times per week during warm weather, adjusting to rainfall and soil type. Aim for consistent moisture under the canopy rather than frequent shallow watering; the soil should feel lightly moist 1–2 inches down. If you let pods dry out between waterings, pod formation and thickness can stall.

How can I tell when Red Dragon (Vigna sesquipedalis) is ready to harvest?

Harvest pods when they’re tender and still glossy, typically around 55 days, with pods about 18–30 inches long and pencil-thick (roughly the thickness you’d like for eating). Use the “snap” test—pods should snap easily instead of bending and feeling fibrous. If seeds start bulking through the pod, it’s usually past peak tenderness.