Pruning guide
How to prune broad bean
Best time
Late spring, when the lowest pods are finger-length and flowering is near its peak
How often
Once per season
Technique
Pinch out the soft growing tip 7–10 cm from the top of each plant between finger and thumb, or cut with scissors. No further pruning is needed.
More broad bean care
- How to prune fava bean — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Full broad bean care guide
- Common broad bean problems & fixes
- How to propagate broad bean
- When to repot broad bean
Pruning broad bean — FAQ
When should I prune broad bean?
Late spring, when the lowest pods are finger-length and flowering is near its peak. Pinch out the soft growing tip 7–10 cm from the top of each plant between finger and thumb, or cut with scissors. No further pruning is needed.
How often does broad bean need pruning?
Once per season. Broad beans benefit from one important tip: once the first pods have set and reached finger length, pinch out the top 7–10 cm of the growing shoot. This removes the soft tissue that blackfly (black bean aphid) colonise preferentially, significantly reducing infestation risk and also encouraging pods lower on the stem to fill faster.
How do you prune broad bean?
Pinch out the soft growing tip 7–10 cm from the top of each plant between finger and thumb, or cut with scissors. No further pruning is needed.