Black-Eyed Susan vs Green Bean

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Green Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris

Fabaceae · vegetables

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3-9)

Green Bean (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Green Bean
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Phaseolus vulgaris
Family	Asteraceae	Fabaceae
Category	flowers	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	3'	2'
Spread	1' 6"	8"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Central/South America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Green Bean

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

Green Bean

✓Direct sow after all frost danger.
✓Don't soak seeds.
✓Pick every 2-3 days to encourage production.
✓Rotate planting location yearly.
✓Beans fix nitrogen — don't fertilize heavily.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Choose Green Bean if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Black-Eyed SusanProfile →View Green BeanProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Green Bean grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Green Bean grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Green Bean have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Green Bean needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Green Bean?

Black-Eyed Susan grows taller at 3' compared to Green Bean at 2'. Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6" while Green Bean spreads 8".

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Green Bean deer resistant?

Black-Eyed Susan is deer resistant, but Green Bean is not. If deer are a concern, Black-Eyed Susan is the better choice, or protect Green Bean with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Green Bean?

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Green Bean have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Green Bean
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Phaseolus vulgaris
Family	Asteraceae	Fabaceae
Category	flowers	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	3'	2'
Spread	1' 6"	8"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Central/South America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

Green Bean

✓Direct sow after all frost danger.
✓Don't soak seeds.
✓Pick every 2-3 days to encourage production.
✓Rotate planting location yearly.
✓Beans fix nitrogen — don't fertilize heavily.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Choose Green Bean if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Green Bean grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Green Bean grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Green Bean have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Green Bean needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Green Bean?

Black-Eyed Susan grows taller at 3' compared to Green Bean at 2'. Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6" while Green Bean spreads 8".

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Green Bean deer resistant?

Black-Eyed Susan is deer resistant, but Green Bean is not. If deer are a concern, Black-Eyed Susan is the better choice, or protect Green Bean with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Green Bean?

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Green Bean have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.