Why Are My Pole Bean Plants Not Growing?

Location

• Planting in a less-than-ideal area could stunt pole bean growth. Pole beans like to grow in full sun, and in well-drained, fertile soil that has been prepared before planting.

Temperature

• Pole beans should be planted about a week after the last frost has passed. Conversely, plant blossoms may fall off vines and not form pods during hot, dry, windy conditions, causing the plant to appear healthy but not produce well.

Water

• Pole bean seeds can germinate poorly if too much water is introduced at planting time. But plants, particularly at production stage, get very thirsty and need moist soil to keep yields high.

Cultivation

• Frequent grass and weed clearing around plants is necessary, but pole bean roots grow shallow. If a plant is injured from hoeing or weed pulling, harvesting may be delayed and yields could be reduced.

Diseases

• Bean mosaic diseases can cause bean pole plant discoloration and prevent pod formation. Bacterial bean blight can also damage plants. Both can be prevented by buying disease-free seeds and planting in different locations each year.