Kids Seed Co.‘s Borlotti Bush Bean (also known as Borlotto Lingua di Fuoco Nano or “Tongue of Fire”) is a standout heirloom variety that’s as beautiful in the garden as it is delicious on the plate. Our family-run seed company, based in Asheville, North Carolina, specializes in open-pollinated, non-GMO heirloom seeds grown in our home gardens.
Our Borlotti beans trace their roots to a farmer at the Mercato di San Remo in Italy, picked up during family visits to nearby Nice, France—adding a touch of European heritage to your home garden.
Borlotti beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), sometimes called cranberry beans in the US due to their creamy white beans speckled with red, are a classic in Northern Italian cuisine. The bush variety from Kids Seed Co. is highly productive, with striking pink/red-streaked pods that deepen in color as they mature. Plants reach about 24 inches tall, making them compact and perfect for smaller spaces—no trellising required.
Why Grow Borlotti Beans?
These beans offer dual-purpose versatility: harvest them young as fresh shelling beans for tender, nutty flavor, or let them dry fully for storage and winter use in soups, stews, or pasta dishes. Their meaty texture and rich taste make them a favorite for recipes like Pasta e Fagioli. Plus, the vibrant pods add ornamental appeal to veggie beds or even container gardens.
How to Grow Borlotti Bush Beans
Borlotti beans are straightforward to grow, thriving as warm-season annuals. They prefer full sun, well-drained soil, and consistent moisture.
1. Timing and Sowing
Wait until after your last frost date when soil temperatures are reliably warm (ideally above 60–65°F for best germination). In many zones, this means late spring to early summer.
Direct sow seeds outdoors: plant them 1 inch deep, spaced about 2 inches apart in rows 20–36 inches apart. No need to start indoors unless your season is very short—direct sowing works great. Each packet from Kids Seed Co. contains approximately 30 seeds with a high 90% germination rate (tested recently).
2. Soil and Site
Choose a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Beans fix nitrogen, so avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers; focus on phosphorus and potassium if needed. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
3. Care During Growth
Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and pod development—about 1 inch per week, more in hot weather. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal issues.
These bush plants stay compact at 24” tall and don’t need support. Regular harvesting encourages more blooms and pods for higher yields.
4. Harvesting
For fresh shelling beans: Pick when pods turn deep pink/red and beans inside are plump (around 60–70 days from sowing).
For dried beans: Allow pods to dry on the plant until brown and brittle (about 80–90 days). Harvest before pods split open in wet weather.
Frequent picking promotes continuous production.
5. Pests and Problems
Watch for common bean issues like Mexican bean beetles or aphids—hand-pick or use row covers if needed. Good airflow and avoiding wet foliage help prevent rust or blight.
In the Kitchen
Shell fresh beans and stew them simply: sauté garlic and onions, add beans, stock, and simmer until tender. Serve over pasta with Parmesan for an authentic Italian touch. Dried beans store well for hearty winter meals.
If you’re in a cooler climate like parts of the Southeast US, start seeds a bit earlier under protection if possible, but these beans mature relatively quickly. Kids Seed Co.’s version is a gem for both beauty and bounty—grab some seeds and enjoy the speckled magic in your garden this season!
Borlotti bean seeds are available in our catalog!
