How to Grow Red Noodle Long Bean
Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis 'Red Noodle'
Red Noodle Long Beans are a warm-season variety of cowpea prized for their vibrant color and tender texture. Gardeners grow them to enjoy long, slender pods that offer excellent flavor in salads or stir-fries. These easy-to-grow plants thrive in heat and humidity.
📷 Wikipedia: CowpeaStarting Red Noodle Long Bean: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Red Noodle Long Bean is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors only after the last frost date once soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently for this heat-loving species.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 5.8 and 7.2 for optimal growth. As a warm-season crop, you must wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil is thoroughly warm before sowing seeds directly outdoors. Do not start indoors; sow seeds about one inch deep in full sun. Expect germination to occur within six to ten days under these warm conditions.
Space plants six to eight inches apart along sturdy trellises or supports, as they can reach heights of five to ten feet. Provide moderate watering regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Feed lightly if growth slows, though these beans are generally resilient in warm weather.
Watch for aphids, spider mites, and bean beetles; inspect leaves regularly and remove pests by hand or use insecticidal soap. Prevent powdery mildew, bacterial blight, and mosaic virus by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest the long pods sixty to seventy days after sowing when they are tender and bright red.
When to Plant Red Noodle Long Bean
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | July – August | October – August |
| Zone 2 | — | June – August | September |
| Zone 3 | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 4 | — | June – July | August – October |
| Zone 5 | — | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 6 | — | May – June | August – September |
| Zone 7 | — | April – June | July – September |
| Zone 8 | — | April – May | July – August |
| Zone 9 | — | March – April | June – July |
| Zone 10 | — | February – April | May – July |
| Zone 11 | — | January – March | April – June |
| Zone 12 | — | January – March | April – June |
| Zone 13 | — | January – March | April – June |
Companion Plants for Red Noodle Long Bean
✓ Good companions
Deters aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving bean flavor
Repels aphids, ants, and flea beetles that commonly attack beans
Benefits from bean's nitrogen fixation, beans provide natural trellis support
Repels bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels bean beetles
Breaks up soil for bean roots, deters bean beetles, quick harvest before beans mature
Improves bean growth and flavor while repelling bean beetles and aphids
Provides natural climbing support, benefits from nitrogen fixed by bean roots
✗ Keep away from
Produces allelopathic chemicals that inhibit bean germination and growth
Inhibits bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions
Releases allelopathic compounds that stunt bean growth and development
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
