Scarlet Emperor

Family: Fabaceae Legume

A vivid splash of color from the garden—Scarlet Emperor pole beans bear long, showy pods in rich scarlet-red that seem to glow against deep green foliage.

The pods develop with a crisp, tender snap and a clean, sweet-bean flavor that shines when harvested young, making them a standout for fresh, vibrant servings and quick pickling-style preserves. Train them up and watch the harvest come on steadily around 70 days, with each picking rewarding you with glossy, straight pods that look as good as they taste.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Scarlet Emperor

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	Jul 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Harvest young and you’ll get that satisfying snap—Scarlet Emperor pods are practically tailor-made for fast heat and clean, sweet-bean flavor. Their vivid red also holds up beautifully in brief blanching and tangy quick pickles, so the plate looks as good as it eats.

Best Uses

quick-sauté or stir-fry at high heat for crunchy pods
toss into a warm grain salad so they stay snappy
flash-blanch and chill as a crisp salad component
quick pickling-style preserves for bright color and snap

Flavor Profile

crisp-tender snap clean, sweet-bean flavor green-bean freshness with a light vegetal sweetness

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon olive oil butter toasted almonds smoked paprika

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common pest or disease for Phaseolus coccineus (Scarlet Emperor) and how can I manage it?

Dry beans and scarlet runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus) are commonly hit by fungal leaf spots and rust, especially when leaves stay wet. Water at the soil line, space plants for airflow, and remove badly spotted leaves early; if it keeps spreading, use a label-approved copper fungicide and reapply as directed. Watch for aphids as well—blast them off with water and, if needed, use an insecticidal soap targeted to leaf undersides.

How often should I water Scarlet Emperor runner beans during the main growing phase?

During active growth and flowering (roughly weeks 3–8), keep the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) of soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water deeply 1–2 times per week depending on heat, increasing frequency during hot, windy weather; aim to avoid wetting the foliage. If pods start to form and the soil dries out too much, flowering and pod set drop quickly.

How do I know when Scarlet Emperor is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the pods are fully elongated and look crisp—typically about 70 days from sowing for Scarlet Emperor. Pick pods while they’re still tender and before seeds inside become hard (you should be able to lightly dent a pod without it feeling tough). For best eating quality, check every 1–2 days once pods start setting.