Wild Kidney Bean

About Wild Kidney Bean

Wild Kidney Bean, also known as Thicket Bean, is an enchanting native perennial vine that brings a touch of vertical elegance to the sunny garden or woodland edge. Reaching lengths of 4 to 10 feet, it twines around supports, producing clusters of small, pea-like pink to purple flowers from July through September. These blooms are followed by flattened seed pods containing edible, though small, beans. Native to the eastern and central United States, it thrives in well-drained, medium to medium-dry soils and can adapt to full sun or partial shade. It is an important ecological plant, serving as a host for various butterfly larvae and providing nectar for bees. Unlike its garden cousins, this wild relative is a hardy perennial that returns each year. For a unique vertical accent that supports local biodiversity, the Wild Kidney Bean is a delightful choice for naturalized landscapes or trellis plantings.