How to Grow Borlotti Beans: 5 Tips for Growing Borlotti Beans

Borlotti beans are one of the prettiest beans I grow. The pods are streaked with pink and cream, and the beans inside have the same beautiful cranberry-colored markings. They’re also useful in the kitchen. Borlotti beans, sometimes called cranberry beans, can be harvested fresh as shelling beans or left on the plant to dry for storage.

They grow much like other warm-season beans, but the variety you choose matters. Some borlotti beans grow as compact bush plants, while others are vigorous climbers that need a tall trellis. Here are five things that make the biggest difference.

1. Give Borlotti Beans a Good Start

I prefer planting beans directly in the garden rather than starting them indoors. Beans generally don’t like having their roots disturbed, and they germinate quickly in warm soil.

Here’s what to keep in mind when planting:

• Choose a sunny spot. Beans grow best with plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil.
• Prepare the soil. Add compost to improve soil structure and help retain moisture. Learn how to get your soil ready for planting in this article.
• Plant seeds about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. Space seeds about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) apart, adjusting for the variety and growing method.
• Keep the soil moist during germination. Avoid overwatering, especially in cool soil.

There’s no need to soak the seeds before planting. In fact, soaking can sometimes cause more problems than it solves, especially if the soil is too wet.

2. Plant Borlotti Beans at the Right Time

Timing makes a big difference when growing vegetables, especially in Arizona’s low desert. Borlotti beans like warm weather, but they don’t appreciate extreme heat or cold soil. Planting at the right time gives them a much better chance to grow and produce well.

Wait until after the last frost, when the soil has warmed. Bean seeds germinate best when soil temperatures are around 70°F to 90°F (21°C to 32°C).

In the low desert of Arizona, plant borlotti beans:

• Spring: March 15 through April
• Fall: August through September

If you’re growing a bush variety, you can plant additional seeds every couple of weeks during the planting season to spread out your harvest. This is called succession planting.

Our long, hot summers can make bean production challenging. Planting seeds during the right window helps plants establish before temperatures get too extreme.

3. Give Borlotti Beans Room to Grow

One of my favorite things about growing borlotti beans is watching the beautiful speckled pods develop among the green leaves.

Some borlotti varieties grow as compact bush plants, while others are climbing pole beans. Check your seed packet so you know what to expect.

I use bamboo poles to support climbing beans in my garden. Putting the poles in place when I plant the seeds means I won’t have to disturb the roots later.

If you’re growing a pole variety, give it a tall, sturdy support. These plants can grow several feet tall and will continue twining upward as they grow. Bush varieties stay shorter and may need little or no support; however, growing the plants vertically prevents pest damage and increases airflow and sunlight to the beans

Supporting climbing beans also makes it easier to see the developing pods and harvest them when they’re ready.

4. Harvest Borlotti Beans at the Right Time

Borlotti beans are especially fun to harvest because the pods change appearance as they mature. The cream-colored pods develop beautiful pink and red markings, and the beans inside have similar patterns.

You can harvest borlotti beans at three different stages, depending on how you plan to use them.

For Young, Tender Pods

Some varieties can be harvested while the pods are young and tender, before the beans inside begin to swell. Pick them early if you want to use them like green beans. Once the beans start developing inside, the pods become tougher.

For Fresh Shelling Beans

Harvest when the pods are full and the beans inside are well-developed, but before the pods have completely dried. Remove the beans from their pods and cook them while they’re fresh. Fresh shelling beans are a treat, and they don’t need the long soaking time dried beans require.

For Dried Beans

If you want to store your harvest, leave the pods on the plant until they turn brown and become dry and brittle. If wet weather arrives before they’re completely dry, you can cut the plants and hang them upside down in a protected, well-ventilated area to finish drying.

I love having the option to enjoy some beans fresh and save others for later.

5. Enjoy Your Harvest and Save Some for Later

The best part of growing anything is enjoying the harvest!

Borlotti beans have a mild flavor and creamy texture once cooked. Our family enjoys them as a simple side dish, tossed into salads, or added to soup. If you enjoy borlotti beans, you may also want to try out growing lima beans and edamame. I also have a delicious recipe for blistered Chinese long beans with garlic, ginger, and sesame.

You can cook freshly shelled beans until tender without soaking. Dried beans take longer to cook, and soaking them beforehand can shorten the cooking time.

If I’m not using the beans right away, I let them dry completely and store them in glass mason jars with tight-fitting lids. Keep the jars somewhere cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight. For best quality, use the beans within about a year.

Growing Borlotti Beans FAQs