Bush beans do not climb or require support due to their specific growth habit. They are a type of common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, bred to grow in a compact, self-supporting form, unlike their vining relatives. Beans are classified by their growth type, which determines whether they sprawl, climb, or stay contained. The bush variety is favored by many gardeners because of its sturdy, contained structure.
Defining Determinate Growth
The self-supporting nature of bush beans is due to determinate growth. This biological trait means the plant’s vegetative growth (stem and leaf production) stops once the terminal bud forms a flower cluster. This process results in a plant with a predetermined, finite size.
Bush beans have a sturdy central stem and a compact, rounded form. They typically reach a maximum height of only one to two feet, allowing them to stand upright without assistance. Bush beans also lack the specialized organs, called tendrils, necessary for climbing. They direct their energy into a quick, concentrated burst of flowering and fruiting.
Bush Beans Versus Vining Varieties
The self-supporting nature of bush beans contrasts sharply with vining varieties, commonly called pole beans. Pole beans exhibit indeterminate growth, meaning they continue to grow, flower, and produce pods throughout the entire season until frost. This continuous growth allows pole beans to reach heights of 10 to 15 feet and requires a trellis or pole for support.
Structural differences are visible between the two types. Pole beans possess long, twining vines equipped with tendrils that wrap around vertical structures to climb. Bush beans, conversely, develop into low, dense shrubs lacking these climbing mechanisms. This difference in growth pattern leads to a distinct difference in yield: bush beans produce a large harvest all at once, while pole beans yield continuously over a longer period.
Cultivation Requirements
The compact, non-climbing habit of bush beans simplifies cultivation compared to vining types. They are suited for small gardens or container planting since they do not require trellising or caging. Gardeners can maximize yield from a small space by planting them in blocks or double rows, rather than widely spaced single rows.
Planting in blocks allows the individual plants to offer slight mutual support as their branches intermingle. Bush beans thrive in well-drained soil (pH 6.5 to 6.8) and require at least eight hours of full sun daily. Their rapid, determinate growth cycle means they mature quickly, often ready for harvest in 50 to 60 days.