French Bean Borlotto Lingua di Fuoco Seeds – Speckled Italian Bean

French Bean ‘Borlotto Lingua di Fuoco’ Seeds

French Bean ‘Borlotto Lingua di Fuoco’ is a striking and traditional Italian variety, prized for its beautiful red-speckled pods and richly flavoured beans. The name translates as “tongue of fire,” referring to the dramatic red streaks on cream-coloured pods.

This versatile bean can be harvested young as a fresh pod or left to mature for its distinctive cream and red speckled beans, which are excellent for cooking in soups, stews, and Italian-style dishes. As the beans develop, the pods fade in colour, revealing the mature seeds inside.

Productive and easy to grow, Borlotto Lingua di Fuoco is a rewarding crop for gardens and allotments, offering both ornamental appeal and culinary versatility.

Key Features

Traditional Italian borlotti bean variety

Attractive pods with red flame-like markings

Can be eaten fresh or as dried beans

Produces distinctive speckled beans

Excellent for soups, stews, and Mediterranean dishes

Productive and easy to grow

Suitable for gardens and allotments

How to Grow French Bean ‘Borlotto Lingua di Fuoco’

Sow seeds directly outdoors from May to June, once all risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Sow seeds around 3–5 cm deep, spacing plants 20–25 cm apart in rows spaced 45–60 cm apart.

Grow in a sunny, sheltered position with well-drained soil. Depending on the strain (dwarf or climbing), provide support if required.

Water regularly during dry periods, especially during flowering and pod development.

Harvest pods young for fresh use, or allow them to mature fully for shelling beans.

Care Tips

Harvest regularly for fresh pods to encourage continued production

Allow pods to fully mature for dry beans

Keep soil moist during flowering for best yields

Grow in warm conditions for optimal performance

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Borlotto beans be eaten fresh?
Yes — they can be harvested young as pods or left to mature for beans.

What do the beans taste like?
They have a rich, nutty flavour, ideal for cooking.

Do they need support?
Some types climb, so support may be needed depending on the variety.

Are they easy to grow?
Yes — they are reliable and beginner-friendly.

Perfect For

Garden and allotment growing

Italian and Mediterranean cooking

Fresh pods and dried beans

Decorative vegetable gardens

Beginner and experienced growers