Crop type: Runner Beans
Phaseolus coccineus ‘Firelight’
Common name: Runner bean ‘Firelight’
Crop slug: runner-beans
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile and its linked crop guidance. Check the sources and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Firelight’ is a British-bred climbing runner bean selected to set pods dependably in hot, dry summers. It is virtually self-fertile, so poor insect activity or weather at flowering is less likely to leave the vines empty. Scarlet flowers loved by bees develop into productive green pods.
This accepted cultivar grows to full size within one season and is treated as a frost-tender annual crop in the UK. Reliable setting makes it particularly useful on warm, sheltered allotments where traditional runner beans may flower without forming beans.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- Ultimate spread
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- Time to ultimate size
- One year
- Habit
- Climbing
Provide a sturdy support about 2.5m high before planting. Space plants 15–30cm apart along the frame to maintain airflow and make frequent harvesting easy.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Chalk, clay, loam or sand enriched with organic matter
- Moisture
- Moist but well drained
- Preferred pH
- Acid, alkaline or neutral
Although ‘Firelight’ sets pods better in heat and drought than many runners, it still crops best in deeply improved ground with steady moisture. Add well-rotted compost or manure, water deeply through flowering and pod swelling, and mulch only after the soil has warmed.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- Any aspect receiving adequate sun
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H3; grown as a frost-tender summer annual
Plant outside after the last frost and after hardening indoor-raised seedlings. A sheltered sunny site supports the tall frame, encourages bees and makes full use of the cultivar’s improved hot-weather pod set.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
The twining vine bears green trifoliate leaves and vivid scarlet pea-like flowers through summer and autumn. Smooth green pods follow among the flowers even during hot, dry spells. The clear red bloom and strong simultaneous pod set are the cultivar’s most useful visual identifiers.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Climbing
- Name status
- Accepted
- RHS recognition
- Plants for Pollinators
Genus
Phaseolus includes annual and perennial legumes with climbing or trailing stems and trifoliate leaves. Crop forms are cultivated for edible pods and seeds, while others serve ornamental, green-manure or animal-feed roles.
Safety
Raw pods and beans are harmful if eaten and must be cooked. Keep uncooked crop material away from pets and wear suitable protection when handling if needed.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Sow 5cm deep indoors from mid-April or outside once frost has passed and the soil is at least 12°C. Plant beside strong canes or netting in rich moisture-retentive soil. Train shoots onto the support and pinch the leader at the top. Water consistently even though the cultivar tolerates hot setting conditions; feed containers fortnightly with a high-potassium fertiliser after first bloom.
Pick pods at about 20–25cm while tender, checking plants every two or three days. Prompt picking prevents seed swelling and sustains flowering for eight weeks or longer.
Propagation
Propagate from seed. Raise seedlings individually, harden them gradually and plant outdoors in late May or early June. Protect direct sowings from cold wet soil, birds, slugs and snails.
Suggested locations
- Hot sunny allotment bean frame
- Productive kitchen garden
- Cottage or informal garden
- Wildlife-friendly edible border
- Sheltered wall-side support
Pruning
No formal pruning is required. Pinch out the growing tip at the support’s top and clear spent vines after harvest.
Pests
Slugs and snails may attack seedlings, while blackfly can colonise young shoots. Protect new growth and inspect it regularly.
Diseases
May be susceptible to runner and French bean rust. Keep vines airy, rotate legumes and avoid wetting leaves late in the day.