- What does the germination time depend on?
- What can be the reason for the beans not germinating?
- Exception broad beans
The germination time of beans is very variable and can be between 10 and 30 days. The exact germination time depends on several factors, some of which you can control. Find out below how long your beans need to germinate under which circumstances.

What does the germination time depend on?
The germination time depends crucially on two factors:
- the seeding depth
- the ground temperature
The age of the seeds and the type of bean also have an effect on the germination time. Bean seeds that are several years old can take a little longer to germinate than fresh seeds.
The seed depth
Depending on the variety, beans should be sown two to three centimeters deep. If they are placed too deep, too little light will reach the seeds and they will not be able to germinate. Pay attention to the information on the seed packet. The deeper the bean is sown, the longer it may take for it to germinate.
soil temperature
The probably most important factor for the germination time is the soil temperature. Most types of beans need at least 10°C to germinate. The warmer the better. At temperatures around 12°C, beans need up to 30 days to germinate, at temperatures around 20°C, however, only about 10 days. Therefore, it makes sense to prefer the seeds at home. They germinate faster and can be harvested sooner. Here you can find out how to pre-germinate your bean seeds at home.
sowing time
Beans should always be sown or planted out after the ice saints to prevent the seeds or young plants from freezing. At temperatures below 3°C, young beans die off.
What can be the reason for the beans not germinating?
If your beans are not showing any signs of life, there can be various reasons:
- The seed is too old
- The beans were sown too deep
- The beans have suffered drought
- Is it or was it too cold for the beans?
You can find out more about the reasons and measures to be taken if your beans are not germinating here.
Exception broad beans
Broad beans are an exception: they germinate at temperatures of around 5°C and can therefore be sown as early as February/March. They germinate after 8 to 14 days even at low temperatures.
tips
To greatly reduce germination time, soak your bean seeds in water overnight before sowing.
Here you can watch in time lapse how a bean germinates and grows into a small plant:
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