Runner beans are one of the fastest, most dramatic climbers you can grow — ours went from a bare trellis with a few seedlings in early June to a solid wall of beans and scarlet flowers in about six weeks.
How fast do runner beans grow?
Once the soil is warm (mid-to-late spring) and they get going, runner beans climb fast — often 10–20 cm a week at peak, easily covering a 6–8 ft trellis or wigwam within 6–8 weeks. They’re vigorous twiners: give them tall support from the start, keep them well watered (dry roots = flowers that don’t set), and pick regularly to keep more coming.
Why the scarlet flowers matter
The red flowers aren’t just pretty — they pull in bees, and good pollination is what turns flowers into pods. Keep picking beans young and tender; leave them too long and the plant slows down as it puts energy into seed.
Next up on the channel: the harvest. Follow the grow-along to see how many beans one wall gives us.
More grow-alongs at roverplanet.co.uk.