Home › Yard-Long Beans (Snake Beans) › Grow in North Carolina

Can You Grow Yard-Long Beans (Snake Beans) in North Carolina?

US · USDA Zone 7b · zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a

Won't grow here

Yard-long beans need sustained heat and humidity and cannot complete their season in your zone.

Plant zones

8a–11b

North Carolina last frost

late February

North Carolina first frost

early December

Days to harvest

60–80 days

When to plant Yard-Long Beans (Snake Beans)s in North Carolina

Start indoors

Feb 7

Transplant

Feb 28

Harvest

Apr 29 – May 19

Dates are approximate, based on North Carolina's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Yard-Long Beans (Snake Beans)

Yard-long beans (snake beans, Chinese long beans, lobia) are a heat-loving climbing bean producing tender pods up to 3 feet long. Popular across Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian cuisines — used in dry-fried dishes, curries, and stir-fries.

Direct sow after soil warms to 65°F. Provide a sturdy trellis — vines grow 8-10 feet. Harvest at 12-18 inches for best texture — longer pods become tough. Pick every 2-3 days during peak. Loves heat and humidity.

Full yard-long beans (snake beans) growing guide →

Gardening in North Carolina

North Carolina spans the mountains (Zone 5b-6a), Piedmont (Zone 7a-7b), and coastal plain (Zone 8a). Long warm seasons support tobacco, sweet potatoes, and a wide range of vegetables.