Vercro
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Containers

Growing runner beans in pots

The short answer

Runner beans do best in the ground, but grow in a large container: at least 75cm wide and 45cm deep for climbing varieties, and heavy enough not to topple. Dwarf varieties, up to about 45cm tall, suit pots better but crop less. Water often and generously, and feed every fortnight from the first flowers.

A wigwam of 2.5m canes in a pot is a lot of plant catching a lot of wind. The size RHS gives is about keeping it upright as much as about the roots.

Container and supports

  • Climbing varieties: at least 75cm wide and 45cm deep, heavy enough to keep it from toppling over.(RHS)
  • A wigwam of 2.5m canes in the container for climbing varieties.(RHS)
  • Sow seeds 5cm deep and 15cm apart, one plant to each cane.(RHS)
  • Dwarf varieties are particularly suitable for containers and exposed sites, with a smaller crop.(RHS)

Watering and feeding

  • Water frequently and generously: containers dry out quickly.(RHS)
  • Peat-free multi-purpose or loam-based compost.(RHS)
  • Feed every fortnight with a high-potassium liquid feed once the plants flower.(RHS)

Picking

Pick young, every two or three days: when to pick runner beans. Sowing dates: when to sow runner beans.

Pots and beds, on one plan

Add your pots and beds to Vercro with what is growing in each. It keeps the record, and Today shows the few jobs that matter each morning.

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Where this comes from

The growing advice on this page comes from the published sources below, each linked beside the point it supports. Where two good sources disagree, we show both rather than choosing the convenient one. Reviewed 19 September 2026.