What hardiness zones is Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider' suitable for?

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider' is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b.

What are the sun requirements for Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider'?

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider' requires full sun.

How much water does Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider' need?

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider' has moderate water needs.

Annuals

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider'

Provider Bush Bean

FabaceaeSouth America

At a Glance

Typeannual

Habitcompact bush

Foliagedeciduous

Height18-24 inches

Width18-24 inches

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3a - 10b

Zone 3a

Zone 3b

Zone 4a

Zone 4b

Zone 5a

Zone 5b

Zone 6a

Zone 6b

Zone 7a

Zone 7b

Zone 8a

Zone 8b

Zone 9a

Zone 9b

Zone 10a

Zone 10b

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancetender

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider' is a reliable, compact bush bean cultivar that forms a sturdy, self-supporting annual plant reaching 18-24 inches in both height and width. This determinate variety produces multiple stems from the base, creating a dense, bushy growth habit that requires no staking or support structures. The trifoliate leaves are bright green and heart-shaped, with each leaf consisting of three oval leaflets that provide attractive, lush foliage throughout the growing season. The plant produces small, white butterfly-shaped flowers typical of the legume family, appearing in clusters along the stems from mid-summer through early fall. These blooms are followed by straight, slender pods that measure 5-6 inches in length and are round in cross-section. Each pod contains 6-8 seeds and maintains its tender texture when harvested young. Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider' is particularly renowned for its exceptional heat tolerance and ability to set pods consistently even in challenging hot weather conditions where other bean varieties may fail to produce.

Native Range

Phaseolus vulgaris originates from the mountainous regions of Central and South America, with its native range extending from Mexico through Central America and into the Andes mountains of Peru and Bolivia. Wild ancestors of the common bean were first domesticated by indigenous peoples in these high-altitude regions over 7,000 years ago, where they developed in diverse microclimates ranging from tropical highlands to temperate mountain valleys.

Suggested Uses

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider' excels in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and container growing due to its compact size and high productivity. The variety is ideal for succession planting every 2-3 weeks to ensure continuous harvests throughout the growing season. Its space-efficient habit makes it perfect for small urban gardens, patio containers, and intensive growing systems. The tender pods are excellent for fresh eating, steaming, sautéing, and adding to stir-fries, soups, and casseroles, while the mature beans can be dried for winter storage or used in traditional bean dishes.

How to Identify

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider' can be identified by its distinctive compact bush habit that forms a self-supporting plant without the need for trellising, immediately distinguishing it from climbing pole bean varieties. Key identifying features include the characteristic three-leaflet compound leaves with heart-shaped leaflets, small white butterfly-shaped flowers arranged in clusters, and the production of straight, slender green pods that are round rather than flat in cross-section. The pods are notably smaller and more cylindrical than lima bean pods, and lack the prominent suture lines found in snap peas or snow peas. The plant's determinate growth habit means it reaches a finite size and produces most of its crop within a concentrated period.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

SummerFall

mid-summer through early fall

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white

Foliage Description

bright green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

50-55 days

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider' thrives in well-draining soil enriched with compost or aged manure, planted in full sun locations after soil temperatures reach 60°F. Water consistently at soil level to maintain even moisture without wetting the foliage, as overhead watering can promote fungal diseases. As a nitrogen-fixing legume, this variety requires minimal fertilization, though a balanced fertilizer applied at planting time can boost initial growth. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around plants to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Regular harvesting every 2-3 days when pods are young and tender encourages continued production and prevents pods from becoming tough and stringy.

Pruning

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider' requires minimal pruning maintenance due to its bush growth habit. Remove any damaged, diseased, or yellowing stems at the base of the plant to maintain plant health and air circulation. Deadhead spent flowers only if you want to direct energy into existing pod development rather than new flower production. The primary maintenance task is regular harvesting of mature pods, which serves as natural pruning and stimulates continued flowering and pod set throughout the growing season.

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 5 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider' pods are safe for human consumption when properly prepared, offering excellent nutritional value with high protein, fiber, and vitamin content. However, raw beans and pods should not be consumed in large quantities as they contain lectins that can cause digestive upset. The plant is generally safe around pets, though large quantities of raw plant material should be avoided. Always cook beans thoroughly before consumption to neutralize any potentially harmful compounds.

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

direct sow

Indoor Start

2 weeks before last frost

Direct Sow Timing

after last frost when soil temperature reaches 60°F

Days to Maturity

50–55 days

Plant Spacing

4 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions

tomatoes

carrots

radishes

lettuce

spinach

marigolds

nasturtiums

Avoid Planting With

onions

garlic

fennel

sunflowers