Growing beans indoors, is it possible? Keep reading to find the answer!
Because beans are sturdy and easy to grow, growing them indoors is quite simple. To get started, all they require is some light, warmth, and water, and as long as you provide that, the plant will grow healthy.
Do beans grow well indoors?
For many gardeners, growing beans indoors is a fantastic alternative. Indoor bean plants thrive and provide gorgeous foliage to growers throughout the process. They’re also great for container culture because of their small size and fast growth.
Beans come in two varieties: bush beans and pole beans. Pole beans can grow up to 10 feet tall, so you’re best off sticking with bush beans. Here are some of the best beans for growing indoors.
- Tendercrop – The fastest of the beans, with a large yield, good flavor, and the traditional shape.
- Blue lake – This is slightly larger and more productive if you have the space.
- Purple queen – The pods, leaves, and flowers of this plant have a deep purple color.
- Dwarf bees – It’s one of the tiniest beans, reaching just about 2 feet tall with lovely red blossoms.
How do you prepare beans for planting indoors?
For the best setup of your bean plants, you’ll need:
- Planter: Ceramic Self-Watering Planter (recommended) or a pot with a diameter of at least 8′′ and a capacity of 1 gal.
- Soil: You can use a standard potting mix.
- Plant food: Herb Blend is the first ingredient. This should have a lot of nitrogen (with NPK numbers 10-5-5). Then, while growing, use Vegetable Blend. This should have a high phosphorus content and a low nitrogen content (with NPK numbers 4-10-6).
- Grow light: A powerful grow lamp that can simulate 6+ hours of direct sunlight [DLI of 18+ mol/m²/day].
How do you grow beans from seeds indoors?
Beans can be grown indoors without much difficulty. To get the desired yield at harvesting time, you must follow well-defined steps. Thankfully, anyone can follow them. Among them are:
Bean cultivar selection for indoor growing
As said before, beans are divided into bushy beans and climbing or pole beans.
Bush beans can reach a height of 3 feet and need more lateral space than pole or climbing beans. They are self-supporting; therefore, no trellis or other support structures are required. Because they are more compact, they are easier to grow inside, but the yield is smaller.
On the other hand, pole beans will need a trellis or support system to climb up, as the name implies. They can grow as tall as they want, giving you the best yield. However, erecting a trellis indoors may be difficult, and vertical space may be limited.
Prepare a container that is the right size and has enough drainage
The type of bean determines the sort of container you use for your indoor beans. Long, narrow containers with appropriate areas for the roots are required for bushy beans. Consider purchasing a climbing tool in preparation for growing pole beans.
Beans thrive in well-drained soil. That means water must flow through drainage holes at the bottom of the container. Water stagnation will almost certainly cause root rot, which will kill your plants.
To keep your maintenance methods to a minimum, choose your planters wisely. The container should have a width of 12 to 24 inches and a depth of at least 10 inches.
Fill the container with good potting mix.
Most bean cultivars thrive in somewhat acidic, well-drained, loose, sandy soil. You can add compost manure to the potting mix to increase these qualities. 2 parts soil to 1 part compost is the appropriate mixing ratio.
Plant bean seeds
Ensure your seedling potting mix is moist and ready to receive the seeds. Plant the seeds around 1-2.5 inches deep and cover them with soil to achieve enough warmth. If you’re planting in a big pot, space your plants about 2 inches apart.
Until seeds germinate, keep them moist.
Continue to water your newly planted pot to keep the soil moist while avoiding over-watering. Bean seeds should germinate in about one week under ideal conditions. However, there may be some differences depending on the variety and soil conditions.
How do you care for indoor bean plants?
To get the most out of your indoor bean investment, make sure to complete the following:
If you choose pole bean varieties, add trellising
There is no exact design as long as the final construction can support the weight of your fruiting beans. Your imagination may be your only restriction. However, lighting conditions should be considered when creating a trellis or other support structure. Allow for easy air circulation between the bean plants as well.
Light and temperature
Beans need 6 to 12 hours of daylight to develop and flower properly. To allow the lightest energy to pass through, locate a location near the brightest window. You may require artificial light to ensure that you can produce all year.
Warm-weather crops include beans. They thrive in temperatures of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, depending on the variety, this can vary slightly. However, it should not fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit or rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Most bean varieties are unable to withstand such conditions.
Soil moisture
Maintain moist but not damp soil. Root rot and nutrient loss are both encouraged by wet soil around the plant’s root zone.
By putting your finger through the dirt, you can determine how much water is present. It should have a mild cooling sensation with a trace of dampness. In the morning, water your indoor beans.
Fertilizer
As previously stated, fertilizer may not be necessary if your potting mix has adequate compost. The nutrition should help the beans grow from seed to harvest. However, search for light fertilizers that the plant will swiftly use.
Pests
Beans, like all other vegetables, are susceptible to pests and illnesses. Here are some of the most common pests and how to control them.
- Cutworms – Using a healthy potting mix and putting aluminum foil around the seedling stems are two of the management strategies.
- Bean leaf beetles – They attack mature plants. Therefore, you may prevent them by using insect nets to protect your windows.
- Spider mites – Watering your plants properly can help them combat spider mites. You can also wash the mites away by directing a high-pressure hose to the damaged plants.
