Black Valentine Green Bush Beans

Black Valentine is a historic heirloom bush bean valued for its versatility, reliability, and excellent eating quality. First introduced commercially by Peter Henderson & Company in 1897, this variety was selected for its ability to perform equally well as a tender snap bean or a dry bean for soups and storage.

Compact, hardy plants grow to about 45 cm (18") tall and begin producing 6-inch, stringless green pods in approximately 60 days. Pods remain tender and stringless even as they size up, making harvest timing forgiving and consistent.

When allowed to fully mature, the beans dry down to glossy black seeds, perfect for winter use.

Plant Details

Botanical name: Phaseolus vulgaris

Growth habit: Bush type

Plant height: ~45 cm (18")

Sun: Full sun

Spacing: 10-15 cm (4-6")

Container friendly: Yes; performs well in raised beds and large containers

Support: Not required

Harvest and Use

Black Valentine can be harvested in two ways:

Snap bean stage: Young, green pods for fresh eating

Dry bean stage: Fully mature pods for soup beans and storage

Excellent for:

Steaming and saut'ing

Freezing

Soups and stews

Dry bean storage

Why Buy Starter Plants?

Starting with established bean plants provides:

Faster establishment in cool spring soils

Earlier harvest

Strong, uniform growth

Grown With Care

Our starter plants are grown without chemical pesticides and hardened for outdoor conditions, ensuring healthy, vigorous plants ready for early planting.

A Note on History

While Black Valentine was introduced in North America in the late 19th century, common beans trace their origins to South America, with archaeological evidence linking them to Pre-Incan civilizations in Peru. Beans were grown alongside maize by Indigenous peoples long before being introduced to Europe, where they spread worldwide. Black Valentine carries this long agricultural legacy into the modern garden.

Well suited for: early planting, cool-climate gardens, versatile kitchen use, and gardeners who value historic, reliable food crops.