Phaseolus vulgaris
Sunlight
Full sun — 6+ hours daily
Water
300-500 mm per crop. Critical during flowering and pod fill. Drought at flowering causes severe flower drop.
Soil
Well-drained loam. pH 5.8-7.0. Beans are sensitive to both acidic and alkaline soils.
Temperature
Optimal 18-24°C. Sensitive to frost and heat above 30°C (causes flower drop).
Humidity
Moderate. High humidity promotes angular leaf spot, anthracnose, and root rots.
Season
Warm season — 60-90 days for bush types, 90-120 days for climbers.
Updated February 2026
Is this Common Bean?
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Overview
The common bean is the most important food legume for direct human consumption, providing affordable protein for over 500 million people, particularly in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa. Beans are the primary protein source for low-income families where animal protein is scarce or unaffordable. Eastern and southern Africa consume more beans per capita than any other region. Both bush (determinate) and climbing (indeterminate) types are grown. Dry beans contain 22% protein, iron, zinc, folate, and fiber, making them a nutritional powerhouse. Annual global production exceeds 27 million tonnes.
Plant Health
Common Bean is susceptible to 3 known diseases. Early detection is critical — use the CuraPlant app to scan leaves and get an instant AI diagnosis.
Bean Angular Leaf Spot
Bean angular leaf spot (Pseudocercospora griseola) causes angular brown lesions bounded by leaf veins, reducing yield 50-80% in common bean across Africa and Latin America. The fungus is seed-borne. Manage with resistant varieties, certified disease-free seed, crop rotation (2+ years), and fungicide sprays (mancozeb + carbendazim) starting at first flower.
Bean Common Mosaic Virus Disease
Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) causes green mosaic mottling, leaf curling, and stunting in common bean. Seed transmission (5-35%) perpetuates the virus. Manage with resistant varieties carrying bc genes, certified virus-free seed, aphid management, and roguing infected plants. Avoid varieties with only the I gene in areas with Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV).
Downy Mildew
Downy mildew produces angular yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces with grayish-purple fuzzy growth underneath. Caused by Peronospora or Plasmopara oomycetes, it thrives in cool wet weather. Manage with resistant varieties, preventive mancozeb or copper sprays, good air circulation, and avoiding overhead irrigation. It requires free water to infect — keep leaves dry.
Cultivation Guide
Use certified disease-free seed — bean diseases are heavily seed-borne
Inoculate with Rhizobium phaseoli if first-time planting
Bush types: 50 × 10 cm. Climbing types: 75 × 30 cm with 2 m stakes
Avoid overhead irrigation — drip or furrow preferred to reduce foliar diseases
Harvest when pods are dry and rattling — do not leave in field during rain
Store dry beans with proper fumigation to prevent bruchid weevil damage
Companion Planting
Strategic companion planting reduces pest pressure, improves pollination, and can significantly increase yields.
Climate & Regions
Active climate zones for Common Bean are highlighted below.
Tropical
Suitable
Subtropical
Suitable
Temperate
Suitable
Mediterranean
Not typical
Highland
Suitable
Arid / Semi-arid
Not typical
Specific Zones & Regions
Common Questions
Common Bean grows best during the warm season — 60-90 days for bush types, 90-120 days for climbers.. It requires optimal 18-24°c. sensitive to frost and heat above 30°c (causes flower drop). and full sun — 6+ hours daily. In tropical regions with consistent warmth, it can often be grown year-round with proper irrigation.
Common Bean is commonly affected by Bean Angular Leaf Spot, Bean Common Mosaic, Downy Mildew. Regular crop monitoring, good air circulation, avoiding overhead irrigation, and using disease-resistant varieties are the most effective prevention strategies.
Common Bean grows best in well-drained loam. ph 5.8-7.0. beans are sensitive to both acidic and alkaline soils.. For irrigation: 300-500 mm per crop. critical during flowering and pod fill. drought at flowering causes severe flower drop.. Maintaining proper soil moisture without waterlogging is critical — Common Bean is sensitive to both drought stress and root rot from excess water.
Common Bean grows well alongside maize, squash, carrot. These companions help repel pests, improve pollination, or provide ground cover. Avoid planting near onion, garlic, fennel, which can inhibit growth or share susceptibility to the same pests and diseases.
CuraPlant
Scan any leaf with your phone and get an instant AI diagnosis, treatment guide, and prevention plan — even offline.
