Tiger's Eye

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sunlit and dramatic, Tiger’s Eye dry beans bring a warm, amber-gold canvas brushed with bold, tawny striping—like a gemstone held to the light.

Once cooked, they develop a tender, creamy interior with a pleasantly firm bite, making them ideal for hearty potfuls, robust soups, and silky purées. Grow for dependable, midseason harvests around 100 days, then savor the distinctive color and rich, mellow flavor that defines this standout dry bean.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 100 DaysHabit: Bush

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	Aug 3rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	100
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	None
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

Tiger’s Eye dry beans cook up with a creamy center but keep a good, toothsome firmness—ideal when you want body without mush. Their mellow nuttiness and amber warmth love slow simmering with aromatics and a bright acidic finish to wake the pot.

Best Uses

long-simmered bean soups and broths where they stay intact
silky purées or dips—treat like a spreadable, spoonable cream
braises and hearty stews that benefit from thickening
seasoned bean salads served warm with a punchy vinaigrette

Flavor Profile

warm amber-gold, mellow beaniness creamy interior with a pleasantly firm bite savory, lightly nutty finish

Kitchen Pairings

smoked pork onion garlic bay leaf olive oil cider vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Phaseolus vulgaris (Tiger's Eye beans), and how do I address it?

Watch for bean rust and fungal leaf spots, which show up as orange-brown or dark speckled lesions on leaves during warm, humid weather. Remove infected leaves early, water at the soil line (not overhead), and improve airflow by spacing plants to reduce leaf wetness. If problems spread, use a copper-based fungicide labeled for beans and reapply according to the label.

How often should I water Phaseolus vulgaris during the main growing phase?

Water deeply so the top 2–3 inches of soil stay evenly moist, aiming for about 1 inch per week when rainfall is limited. During flowering and pod fill, avoid letting the soil dry out—dry spells followed by heavy watering can reduce pod set and growth. Mulch helps maintain moisture, but keep the crown area from staying soggy.

How can I tell when Tiger's Eye (Phaseolus vulgaris) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are firm and reach full size, typically around 90–100 days, and when the seeds inside are plump—check by gently pressing or opening a pod. For dry beans, allow pods to mature fully on the plant until the foliage dries, then harvest and dry further indoors. If you want tender shelling beans, pick a little earlier when pods are fully colored but the seeds still feel less hard.