Why Mexican Jumping Beans Won't Grow in Canada

The "Bean" Is a Seed Infested by a Moth Larva

Mexican jumping beans are seeds of Sebastiana pavoniana (a shrub) that contain a larva of the moth Cydia saltitans. The larva eats the embryo, so the seed cannot germinate.

Growing the Host Plant

The shrub is frost-tender (Zone 10+). In Canada, it would require a heated greenhouse year-round. The moth is also not native; without it, seeds won't "jump."

If you want the plant for curiosity, seek seeds from a specialist supplier (e.g., rare palm/seed vendors). But expect a tropical shrub, not jumping beans.