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Cobra is a climbing French bean with fine, long pods. Read how its variety profile helps arrange support and picking access, then follow young harvests among the leaves.
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
This growing advice helps you choose. Your variety, growth stage, weather and conditions in your space determine the actual timing.
Start briefly under cover or sow directly · Climbing bean
Late April–MayStart briefly under cover in individual pots. Ensure you can plant out into warmth after a few weeks.
Do not start outdoor plants months too early. Beans grow quickly and do not tolerate frost.
Royal Horticultural Society · RHS — boon kweken ↗Soort- of productgebonden bron; buitenlandse perioden zijn geen vaste Nederlandse zaaidatum.
University of Minnesota Extension · UMN Extension — boon in de moestuin ↗Soort- of productgebonden bron; buitenlandse perioden zijn geen vaste Nederlandse zaaidatum.
Guideline periods for the Netherlands and Flanders. Check the variety, available light, soil and measured temperatures. Greenhouse heating does not guarantee enough winter light.
The source context and any limitations are in the background information at the bottom.
Compare with another varietyThe options below belong to the plant. From these, choose the method that suits your variety's growth habit.
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
A sturdy support brings the harvest upwards. Keep both sides accessible and put the support in place before sowing, avoiding pushing poles among roots later.
For anyone with a sunny outdoor bed.
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This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
A leafy bean support catches the wind. Use a large, heavy tub and an anchored support, and keep the root ball moist during pod formation.
For a sheltered balcony or patio with room for the chosen growth habit.
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This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
A sturdy wigwam gives climbing beans a hold. Gently guide the first shoots towards the canes and keep the centre accessible for picking.
View your supplies →The current Dutch supplier gives Cobra 200 to 250 centimetres height and about 20-centimetre pods, 7 to 9 millimetres thick. Use these profile measurements for layout, while also observing actual growing space.
Table 4B in the Dutch school garden handbook lists Cobra as a climbing French bean choice, giving practical selection context. It also distinguishes bean groups. Keep Cobra's aim clear: young French beans differ from climbing dry beans ripened for seed.
The British RHS profile places Cobra between one and a half and two and a half metres. This and current Dutch supplier dimensions need not produce identical results. Choose generous usable supports and follow growth. Source sizes prepare, not predict exact plant height.
Prepare climbing support and check stability, then consider the path beside it. Can you inspect low and high parts without stepping around roots? Support serves two users: the climbing plant and gardener repeatedly seeking harvests.
Wait for warmed soil before direct outdoor sowing: cold soil starts beans poorly. Record when you began and emergence. If first picking is later than expected, you can review the start rather than only the variety name.
RHS describes Cobra pods as round, smooth and stringless, with a sweet flavour. Look for these characteristics on garden rounds and compare young pods with more developed ones. The description gives you words for what you see. It does not promise that every forgotten pod retains the same young quality regardless of development.
The supplier lists Cobra's slow seed development. Still inspect pods regularly: strong bulging means fresh French beans are passing youth. Look behind leaves and note missed-pod locations, making profiles part of your picking routine.
The supplier calls Cobra open-pollinated. Saving seed later needs deliberate fully ripe, dry pods separate from young harvests. Note support height and path usability too, giving the next crop a concrete personal starting point beyond repeating a name.
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SeedSteps editorial team · updated on 11 October 2026. The AI images illustrate species and practical growing situations; they do not prove an exact cultivar, observations from your own garden or yield.
Britse gewasadviezen worden gecombineerd met Nederlandse en Vlaamse informatie waar beschikbaar. Amerikaanse Extension-bronnen ondersteunen plantprincipes en herkenning; hun kalenderdata, lokale plaagdruk, bestrijdingsmiddelen en mestdoseringen worden niet rechtstreeks op Nederland of Vlaanderen toegepast. Vorst, bodemwarmte, standplaats en expliciete rasinformatie blijven de lokale controle. Commerciële bronnen onderbouwen uitsluitend benoemde ras- en plantkenmerken; zij zijn geen affiliate-aanbeveling.
Supporting evidence by chapter: A delicate pod on a tall plant: De Bolster. Cobra also has a place in the school garden: Handboek Schooltuinen, via Velt. Two height figures need their context: Royal Horticultural Society. Build a route for the person picking too: University of Maryland Extension. A long crop begins with a suitable start: University of Minnesota Extension. The round pod helps identify the variety: Royal Horticultural Society. Slow seed growth still needs monitoring: De Bolster, University of Minnesota Extension. Save your experience alongside your harvest: De Bolster, Royal Horticultural Society.
Fruit size: 20 cm long; 7-9 mm thick Actuele Nederlandse leveranciersbeschrijving; rasmaat en profiel, geen onafhankelijke proef of oogstgarantie. De Bolster
Variety type: French bean for young pods Actuele Nederlandse leveranciersbeschrijving; rasmaat en profiel, geen onafhankelijke proef of oogstgarantie. De Bolster
Growth habit: Climbing French bean; support needed Brits RHS-rasprofiel; brongebonden beschrijving, geen Nederlandse kalender of vaste groeimaat. Royal Horticultural Society
Height: 200-250 cm Actuele Nederlandse leveranciersbeschrijving; rasmaat en profiel, geen onafhankelijke proef of oogstgarantie. De Bolster
Light: Full sun Actuele Nederlandse leveranciersbeschrijving; rasmaat en profiel, geen onafhankelijke proef of oogstgarantie. De Bolster
Open-pollinated / F1: Open-pollinated Actuele Nederlandse leveranciersbeschrijving; rasmaat en profiel, geen onafhankelijke proef of oogstgarantie. De Bolster
Plant spacing: 75 × 15 cm Actuele Nederlandse leveranciersbeschrijving; rasmaat en profiel, geen onafhankelijke proef of oogstgarantie. De Bolster
Flavour: Sweet pods Brits RHS-rasprofiel; brongebonden beschrijving, geen Nederlandse kalender of vaste groeimaat. Royal Horticultural Society
Texture: Smooth, round, stringless pods Brits RHS-rasprofiel; brongebonden beschrijving, geen Nederlandse kalender of vaste groeimaat. Royal Horticultural Society
