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Variety profile · Climbing bean

Growing Cobra: long, fine pods along a tall support

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.

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AI illustration of Cobra
AI illustration

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.

Sowing
After frost, in sufficiently warm soil
Location
Sun and good drainage
Support
Sturdy tall frame
Harvesting
Follow your variety’s use: young pod or mature bean

This growing advice helps you choose. Your variety, growth stage, weather and conditions in your space determine the actual timing.

A good start

Sowing under cover and raising seedlings

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.

Germination and temperature
Sow in warmth; cold, persistently wet soil increases the risk of failure.
After emergence
Give seedlings light immediately after emergence. A dark loft needs suitable grow lights; warmth alone is insufficient. Ventilate and keep the compost moist without saturating it.
Pricking out and potting on
Sow in individual pots or deep modules. Do not prick out bare-rooted; move the whole root ball before the roots become restricted.
Hardening off and planting out
Gradually acclimatise indoor-raised plants to sun, wind and outdoor temperatures; shelter them again on cold nights. Plant out after the last frost with the whole root ball; install supports beforehand for climbing types.

Do not start outdoor plants months too early. Beans grow quickly and do not tolerate frost.

Sources and use

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.

Compare how to raise other vegetables →

What makes Cobra different?

Fruit size
20 cm long; 7-9 mm thickNetherlands
Variety type
French bean for young podsNetherlands
Growth habit
Climbing French bean; support neededUnited Kingdom
Height
200-250 cmNetherlands
Light
Full sunNetherlands
Open-pollinated / F1
Open-pollinatedNetherlands
Plant spacing
75 × 15 cmNetherlands
Flavour
Sweet podsUnited Kingdom
Texture
Smooth, round, stringless podsUnited Kingdom

The source context and any limitations are in the background information at the bottom.

Compare with another variety
How it could look in your garden

How to grow climbing bean

The options below belong to the plant. From these, choose the method that suits your variety's growth habit.

AI illustration of een rij langs een rek
AI illustration

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 row along a frame

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.

  1. Anchor stakes with a cross-brace.
  2. Sow at the variety's recommended spacing.
  3. Check emergence, root moisture and young pods.

For anyone with a sunny outdoor bed.

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AI illustration of een klimmer in een stabiele kuip
AI illustration

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 climber in a stable container

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.

  1. Secure the container and support stably.
  2. Use suitable potting compost with unrestricted drainage.
  3. Pick carefully and feel the soil daily in warmth.

For a sheltered balcony or patio with room for the chosen growth habit.

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Put the support in place before climbing starts
AI illustration

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.

Take a closer look

Put the support in place before climbing starts

A sturdy wigwam gives climbing beans a hold. Gently guide the first shoots towards the canes and keep the centre accessible for picking.

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A delicate pod on a tall plant

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.

Cobra also has a place in the school garden

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.

Two height figures need their context

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.

Build a route for the person picking too

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.

A long crop begins with a suitable start

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.

The round pod helps identify the variety

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.

Slow seed growth still needs monitoring

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.

Save your experience alongside your harvest

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.

Ready to begin

What you need

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Base
For climbing plants
For growing in pots

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More background, sources and image information

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.

  1. World Checklist of Vascular Plants — 4 juni 2026Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · accessed 2026-10-07
  2. Common catalogue of varieties of vegetable species — 27 januari 2023Europese Commissie · accessed 2026-10-07
  3. Cobra: groei, zaadtype en peulmaatDe Bolster · accessed 2026-10-08
  4. Cobra: Brits rasportretRoyal Horticultural Society · accessed 2026-10-08
  5. Organic Stoksnijboon Helda zadenFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
  6. Stokslaboon À Rames La Vigneronne BiologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
  7. Stokslaboon (prinsessenboon) boter "Sunshine"Feggies · accessed 2026-10-11
  8. Stokslaboon (prinsessenboon) NeckargoldFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
  9. Stokslaboon (snijboon) boter Golden GateFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
  10. Stokslaboon (snijboon) SabreFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
  11. Stokslaboon uit MechelenFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
  12. Stokslaboon vroege NeckarköniginFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
  13. Stokslaboon Wijnmaakster zaden biologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
  14. Vigneronne (Weinländerin): StangenbohneSativa Rheinau · accessed 2026-10-11
  15. Stam- en stokslabonen: groei en oogstRoyal Horticultural Society · accessed 2026-10-08
  16. Handboek Schooltuinen: raskeuze en plantuiHandboek Schooltuinen, via Velt · accessed 2026-10-08
  17. Bonen: groeivormen en verzorgingUniversity of Maryland Extension · accessed 2026-10-08
  18. Bonen: bodem, plukstadium en bewarenUniversity of Minnesota Extension · accessed 2026-10-08
  19. Bonen kiezen: groeivorm en oogstdoelDe Bolster · accessed 2026-10-08
  20. Sperziebonen: warmte, water en jong plukkenDe Bolster · accessed 2026-10-08
  21. RHS — boon kwekenRoyal Horticultural Society · accessed 2026-10-10
  22. UMD Extension — bonen kwekenUniversity of Maryland Extension · accessed 2026-10-10
  23. UMN Extension — boon in de moestuinUniversity of Minnesota Extension · accessed 2026-10-10

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