Coral Bean is grown for its foliage and the structure it brings to a planting. It's hardy across USDA zones 10 through 12. Its spring flowers are a real draw for hummingbirds and native bees. It roots deep, which helps it reach moisture in a dry spell and open up tight soil as it establishes.
Zones
10-12
pH Range
4-7
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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Score Coral Bean on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether coral bean actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score coral bean against your land's real conditions.
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What Coral Bean is
Coral Bean grows as a perennial. It blooms in spring.
How to grow Coral Bean
Coral Bean grows in USDA zones 10 through 12. Coral Bean does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4 to 7, on consistently moist ground. It needs a growing season of at least 365 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
10-12
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4 - 7
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
poorly (saturated >50% of year)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
53.6°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
365+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant coral bean in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Coral Bean prefers pH 4 to 7 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. Match watering to the plant's drainage preference and your local rainfall.
Keep it in good form
Prune coral bean to shape as it grows; the reward is its foliage and structure, not a harvest, so steady upkeep is the whole job.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — coral bean is toxic to dogs and cats (moderate severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Coral Bean is a standout pollinator plant — high value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Coral Bean thrives
Coral Bean is hardy across USDA zones 10 through 12. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 10–12·Where Coral Bean growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Coral Bean can grow in these states:
See if Coral Bean will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether coral bean actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Coral Bean in my zone?
Coral Bean grows in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant Coral Bean?
Most growers plant coral bean after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 365-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Coral Bean need?
Coral Bean needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Coral Bean need?
Coral Bean prefers soil pH 4 to 7, on consistently moist ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Coral Bean attract pollinators?
Yes — coral bean's flowers are a strong nectar and pollen source for hummingbirds and native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Coral Bean safe for pets?
Coral Bean is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with moderate severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.