Long Bean

Days to harvest

60–80 days

Sunlight

5–7 hours/day

Watering

1–1 per day

Plant spacing

45 cm

Minimum container size

30cm deep × 35cm wide

Container-friendly

2 plants per container

Estimated yield

200 kg / 100m²

Life span

annual

Climate Requirements

Ideal temperature

25-35 °C

Annual rainfall

1500-2500 mm

Humidity

60-80%

Heat tolerance

high

Drought tolerance

moderate

Soil & Planting

Companion Plants

• Sweet Cornstrong

  Classic tropical Three Sisters variant: corn provides natural pole for bean to climb; bean fixes atmospheric nitrogen that feeds corn; no synthetic N fertiliser needed for corn

• Cucumbermoderate

  Cucumber ground cover suppresses weeds beneath climbing long beans; nitrogen fixed by beans improves cucumber yield

• Sweet Basilmoderate

  Basil deters bean fly (Ophiomyia phaseoli), which is the most damaging pest of long beans in Malaysia

Plants to Avoid Nearby

• Shallot

  Shallots and all Alliums secrete compounds that inhibit symbiotic Rhizobium bacteria in long bean root nodules, preventing nitrogen fixation and reducing yield by up to 40%

• Garlic

  Same Allium inhibition of nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium bacteria as shallots; avoid planting within 60 cm of legume root zones

• Spring Onion

  All Alliums inhibit nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium bacteria in legume root nodules; allicin exudates are phytotoxic to legume root hairs

• Red Onion

  Allium root exudates inhibit nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium bacteria essential for long bean growth

Common Pests & Diseases

Safety Notes

Observe 3-day PHI for bean fly treatments. Pick beans regularly for continued production. Use companion planting with basil to deter pests naturally. Wash thoroughly before cooking.

Market Demand

High; staple vegetable

Regional Notes

Needs trellis; grows fast

Sources

• Vegetable Growing Guide for Malaysia — DOA Malaysia · Last reviewed: 2026-04-12