Coral bean grows vigorously and produces bright-red flowers followed by red beans.
This spiny-leafed leguminous plant puts on a fine show of color in the spring and summer, and remains attractive throughout the growing season. In southern locations, it remains green, but elsewhere may die back to the ground in winter. Coral bean is usually found in sandy soils from Texas and Louisiana to Florida, northward to North Carolina, and south into Mexico's northern states. It grows quite well in heavy clay soils and is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 6, according to Mary Kay Pope, assistant manager of Native Texas Nursery in Austin, Texas. Pope said she hopes her planting will be deer-resistant, though an early trial was nibbled down somewhat.