A

Agastache Seeds Ageratum Seeds Amaranth Seeds Angelica Seeds Armeria Maritima Seeds Artichoke Seeds Arugula Seeds Asparagus Seeds Aster Seeds
B

Baby's Breath Seeds (Covent Garden) Bachelor's Button Seeds Balloon Flower Seeds Balsam Seeds Barley Seeds Basil Seeds Basketflower Seeds Bean Seeds Bean Seeds, Common Bean Seeds, Fava Bean Seeds, Garbanzo Bean Seeds, Hyacinth Bean Seeds, Lima Bean Seeds, Long Bean Seeds, Runner Bean Seeds, Soy Bean Seeds, Winged Bee Balm Seeds Beet Seeds Bells Of Ireland Seeds Bitter Melon Seeds Black-Eyed Susan Vine Seeds Bok Choy / Tatsoi Seeds Books and Catalogs Borage Seeds Broccoli Seeds Brussels Sprouts Seeds Buckwheat Seeds Bulbs Butterfly Pea Seeds
C

Cabbage Seeds Calendula Seeds Canterbury Bells Seeds Carrot Seeds Catalog Cauliflower Seeds Celery Seeds Celosia & Cockscomb Seeds Chamomile Seeds Chinese Cabbage Seeds Chive Seeds Cilantro / Coriander Seeds Clothing and Swag Clover Seeds Coleus Seeds Collard Seeds Columbine Seeds Coreopsis Seeds Corn Salad Seeds Corn Seeds Cosmos Seeds Cowpea Seeds Craspedia Seeds Crocus Bulbs Cucumber Seeds
D

Daffodil Bulbs Dahlia Seeds Daisy Seeds Dandelion Seeds Dianthus Seeds Dill Seeds Dock or Sorrel Seeds
E

Echinacea Seeds Eggplant Seeds
F

Fennel Seeds Fenugreek Seeds Fertilizer Festivals and Tickets Flower Seeds Forget-Me-Not Seeds
G

Gaillardia Seeds Gardening Tools Garlic Bulbs Gift Certificates Gifts and Supplies Goji Berry Seeds Gomphrena Seeds Gourd Seeds Grass Seeds Ground Cherry Seeds
H

Herb Seeds Hollyhock Seeds Honeywort Seeds Horehound Seeds Huckleberry Seeds Hyacinth Bulbs
I

Iceplant Seeds
J

Jelly Melon Seeds Jewels of Opar Seeds Job's Tears Seeds
K

Kale Seeds Kohlrabi Seeds
L

Lace Flower Seeds Lavender Seeds Leek Seeds Lemon Balm Seeds Lemongrass Seeds Lettuce Seeds Lewisia Seeds Litchi Tomato Seeds Love-in-a-Mist Seeds
M

Marigold Seeds Marjoram Seeds Marshmallow Seeds Marvel of Peru or Four O'Clock Seeds Melon Seeds Milkweed Seeds Mint Seeds Mizuna Seeds Molokhia Seeds Moonflower Seeds Moringa Seeds Morning Glory Seeds Mullein Seeds Mustard Seeds
N

Nasturtium Seeds Nicotiana Seeds
O

Okra Seeds Onion Seeds Online Seed Catalog Oregano Seeds Oyster Leaf Seeds
P

Pansy / Viola Seeds Papalo Seeds Parsley Seeds Parsnip Seeds Pea Seeds Peanut Seeds Pepper Seeds Pepper Seeds, Hot Pepper Seeds, Sweet Petunia Seeds Phlox Seeds Plants Plants and Seeds Poppy Seeds Portulaca / Moss Rose Seeds Potatoes Primrose Seeds Purslane Seeds
Q
R

Radicchio Seeds Radish Seeds Rhubarb Seeds Rosemary Seeds Rudbeckia Seeds Rutabaga Seeds
S

Safflower Seeds Salpiglossis Seeds Salvia and Sage Seeds Savory Seeds Scabiosa Seeds Snail Vine Seeds Snake Bean Seeds Snapdragon Seeds Sorghum Seeds Sourdough Starters Spinach Seeds Squash Seeds Squash Seeds, Summer Squash Seeds, Winter Stevia Seeds Stock Seeds Strawberry Seeds Strawflower Seeds Sunflower Seeds Sweet Pea Seeds Sweet Potato Plants Swiss Chard Seeds
T

Tamarillo Seeds, Dwarf Thyme Seeds Tomatillo Seeds Tomato Seeds Tomato Seeds, Blue & Purple Tomato Seeds, Cherry & Grape Tomato Seeds, Green Tomato Seeds, Orange Tomato Seeds, Pink & Red Tomato Seeds, Striped Tomato Seeds, White & Yellow Tong Ho Seeds Toothache Plant Seeds Tulip Bulbs Turnip Seeds
U
V

Vegetable Seeds Verbena Seeds Vinca Seeds
W

Watercress Seeds Watermelon Seeds Wax Melon Seeds Wheat Seeds
X
Y

Yarrow Seeds
Z

Zinnia Seeds

A single Chinese Python Snake Bean with blooms on a white background.

Snake Bean Seeds, Chinese Python

Name: Snake Bean Seeds, Chinese Python
SKU: SM106
Price: 5 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.2 (23 reviews)

23 Reviews

Sku:

#SM106

Min. seed count:

$5.00

(Trichosanthes cucumerina). Our new favorite vegetable! (AKA Snake Melon or Snake Gourd) Unusual and delicious gourd relative that is referred to and used as a bean in its native China. Its fruit tastes much like green beans, except even more delicious and tender. We could give up a lot of other vegetables before we would not grow this queen of garden crops, known for its divine taste and snake-like beauty. So snake-like, in fact, that the beans terrify more than a few visitors to our garden each summer! Snake bean is almost completely absent in U.S. markets. Its long, delicate fruit doesn't ship easily. Chinese Green Python snake bean is the largest snake bean variety, growing up to 60 inches long and 1.5 inches thick! As it matures, it develops bright green color and a thin layer of wax on the skin. When harvested at 12-30 inches long, it can be used like green beans or summer squash. Traditionally stir fried with peppers and onions, this vegetable has many culinary uses. In Africa the inside of fully mature fruit is scraped out and used like tomato paste. This variety will need a sturdy trellis; pinching lateral branches under 30 inches will encourage climbing. Fun to grow in kids' gardens; an absolutely unique new vegetable!

8-12 hours of sun
Sprouts in 5-8 days or longer
55-65 days to maturity
Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
Seed Depth: 1/2-1"
Plant Spacing: 6"
Frost Hardy: No

Growing Tips

Tolerates extreme heat, humidity. Soak seeds overnight; direct seed well after last spring frost. Trellis vining types; pick when pods reach 12-18 inches.

When to Grow

You can start indoors in a warm, humid environment, but do not plant outside until the hottest part of your growing season. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates or seasonal high temperatures, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

How to Sow and Plant

Can be slow to germinate. Gently crack the outer seed coat, and soak the seeds in warm water for a few hours before planting. Some growers report success with sowing seeds into pots and covering in plastic wrap until germinated, while others use a heat mat.

How to Grow

Once germinated, snake beans are quick to grow. It will definitely need a trellis or fence. Harvest fruits when no longer than 2 feet long. While there is typically little or no pest pressure on these plants, they do best in hot weather with warm nights.

How to Save

Likely, your snake bean will not cross with other lageneria (gourd genus members as it is unique in its species) but to be entirely certain, snake bean should be grown at 1 mile isolation from other gourds to avoid cross pollination.
Otherwise, caging and hand pollination is required for seed saving.
Seeds are ready to save when the coating has become quite hard and cannot be dented with a thumbnail.
Keep seeds in a cool, dry, dark location.
Also remember that snake gourd has a low germination rate!

FAQ

Are Snake Bean gourds edible?
Yes. The young fruit is delicious and tender; it can be used like green beans, and the red pulp of mature beans can be used like tomato paste.

More Questions?
Check out our "How to Grow Snake Bean Gourd Seeds" guide.

FREE SHIPPING IN THE U. S. A.

Alternate domestic shipping options available at checkout

Total customer reviews (23)

Sort by