Dragon's Tongue Bean

Dragon's Tongue Bean

Vine

This bean can grow as tall as your Garden and produces bean pods that are about six inches long. As your pods mature, they develop purple and white stripes and grow throughout the green bushy leaves.

  • Grow in Family gardens only
  • Ships in 1-2 business days
  • Shelf stable for 1 yr . Thoroughly tested
  • Rise Reserve
Plant library

Growing Dragon's Tongue Bean

Everything you need to know to successfully grow this plant in your Rise Garden hydroponic system.

8 Days to germinate
55 Days to harvest
7.1 oz Estimated yield
1 Shade group

Nutritional benefits

Homegrown produce is more nutritious than store-bought because it's harvested at peak ripeness and eaten fresh.

20% DV

Vitamin C

Immunity & Skin

18% DV

Vitamin K

Bone Health

8% DV

Vitamin A

Vision & Immunity

10% DV

Manganese

Metabolism

6% DV

Iron

Energy & Focus

6% DV

Potassium

Heart & Muscles

Growing tips

  • 1
    Switch to Blossom Nutrients

    When you see the first flowers forming, switch from Sprout to Blossom nutrients. This provides the phosphorus needed for fruit development.

  • 2
    Hand Pollinate for Best Results

    Use a small brush or cotton swab to gently transfer pollen between flowers. Do this when flowers are fully open, usually mid-morning.

  • 3
    Prune Lower Leaves

    Remove yellowing lower leaves and any that touch the water. This improves air circulation and directs energy to fruit production.

  • 4
    Support Heavy Fruit

    As fruit develops, use plant clips or soft ties to support heavy branches. This prevents stems from breaking under the weight.

Growth timeline

Follow these stages for successful growing in your Rise Garden

1
Days 0-8

Germination

Large seed leaves unfold from the pod to kick things off. Beans are vigorous climbers, so expect these first sprouts within about eight days. Keep the nursery dome on to hold humidity while the roots get going.

2
Days 8-15 moveintogarden stage

Move to Garden

Once two or three true leaves appear, your bean is ready for the garden. Keep the single strongest seedling and pinch out the rest, so one vine gets all the energy. Give it an open spot, since this climber wants more room than its neighbors.

3
Days 15-22 prune stage

Active Growth

Your bean winds its twining stems upward and climbs fast. Guide the vine onto a trellis or support early so it grows up instead of sprawling. Switch to Sprout nutrients to fuel all that leafy growth.

4
Days 22-33 pollinate stage

Flowering

Pretty pale blossoms open along the vine, and each one is a future pod. Switch to Blossom nutrients to help them set. Beans pollinate themselves, so just let them be and watch tiny pods form where the flowers fade.

5
Days 33-46

Fruiting

Slender pods appear behind the spent flowers, streaked purple over creamy yellow. Keep the vine supported so heavy stems don't bend or snap. The pods plump up quickly over the next several days.

Day 55+ harvest stage

How to Harvest

Snip pods off with scissors while they're young and tender, before the beans inside start to bulge. Hold the vine steady so you don't tug or damage it. Pick every couple of days, since frequent harvesting keeps the plant setting more.

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Growing FAQs

  • Place your seed pod in the Rise Gardens nursery tray with the label facing up. Add water until the pods are saturated, then place the grow dome on top to maintain humidity. Keep the dome on until you see sprouts emerging (usually 3-10 days depending on the plant). Once sprouted, remove the dome so leaves can develop properly.

  • Look for 2 sets of true leaves - these are the leaves that appear after the initial round seed leaves (cotyledons). At this stage, the roots are developed enough to absorb nutrients from your garden. For most plants, this happens 7-14 days after germination. Gently lift the pod from the nursery and place it in an empty spot in your Rise Garden.

  • Add nutrients once per week. Use Sprout nutrients for leafy plants and during the vegetative growth stage of all plants. Switch to Blossom nutrients when you see flowers forming on fruiting plants (tomatoes, peppers, etc.). The Rise Gardens app tracks your plants and sends reminders when it's time to add nutrients.

  • Yellow leaves usually indicate one of these issues: 1) Low nutrients - add nutrients if it's been more than a week. 2) Low water - check that water levels are above minimum. 3) Natural aging - bottom leaves naturally yellow as the plant grows; just remove them. 4) Too much light - ensure your plant is in the correct shade group position.

  • Yes, for most plants! Herbs and leafy greens are "cut-and-come-again" - harvest outer leaves or up to 1/3 of the plant, and it will regrow for multiple harvests. Fruiting plants (tomatoes, peppers) continuously produce fruit for months. Microgreens are the exception - they're harvested all at once and won't regrow.

  • Since there are no bees indoors, you'll need to hand pollinate tomatoes, peppers, and other fruiting plants. When flowers are fully open, use a small paintbrush or cotton swab to gently brush the center of each flower. Transfer pollen between flowers by touching multiple blooms. Do this every few days while plants are flowering.

  • Germination time is how long until you see the first sprout emerge from the pod - typically 3-10 days. Harvest time is when you can start picking from your plant - this ranges from 7 days for microgreens to 12+ weeks for fruiting plants.

  • Causes: Nutrient deficiency, overwatering, natural aging of lower leaves, or too much/little light.

    Solutions: Add nutrients if it's been over a week. Check water levels aren't too high. Remove naturally yellowing bottom leaves. Verify plant is in correct shade group position.

  • Causes: Low water levels, root problems, temperature stress, or transplant shock.

    Solutions: Check and refill water immediately. Inspect roots for brown/slimy appearance. Keep garden away from heat sources and cold drafts.

  • Causes: Insufficient light, low nutrients, overcrowding, cold temperatures, or pH imbalance.

    Solutions: Ensure lights are on 14-16 hours daily. Add nutrients weekly. Thin overcrowded plants. Keep garden in warm area (65-75°F).

  • Causes: Fungus gnats from damp conditions; aphids hitchhike on other plants or through windows.

    Solutions: For gnats: let pod surfaces dry, use yellow sticky traps. For aphids: spray leaves with water, wipe off pests, or use diluted dish soap spray.

  • Causes: Algae from light exposure to water, root rot from stagnant water, or bacterial growth.

    Solutions: Keep tank covered to block light. Ensure water is circulating properly. Clean tank between plantings. Trim brown, mushy roots.

  • Cause: Lack of pollination, temperature extremes, or nutrient deficiency.

    Solution: Hand pollinate with a small brush. Switch to Blossom nutrients. Keep temps 65-85°F.

  • Cause: Calcium deficiency from inconsistent watering.

    Solution: Maintain consistent water levels. Remove affected fruit. Plant should recover.

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