Lima Beans

Vegetable

Phaseolus lunatus

Lima beans are warm-season legumes producing large, starchy, buttery beans with a mild flavor that intensifies when dried. Both bush and pole types are available; the pole types are highly productive in warm climates. An important nitrogen-fixer and classic American garden staple.

Native Range

Origin: Independently domesticated in the Andes of Peru and in Mesoamerica approximately 2,000 years ago.
Native Habitat: Wild relatives grow in tropical and subtropical forests and thickets of Mexico, Central America, and the Andes.
Current Distribution: Cultivated throughout tropical and warm-temperate regions worldwide; major production in the United States, Peru, and parts of Africa.

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Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun

Water Needs

Moderate

Soil

Well-draining loam; pH 6.0 - 7.0; avoid excess nitrogen

Spacing

6 - 8 inches for bush; 8 - 12 inches for pole

Days to Maturity

65 - 90 days from direct sow

Growing Zones

Thrives in USDA Zones 3 - 11

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Keep Away From

When to Plant

Direct Sow
2 weeks after last frost, soil 65°F+
Harvest
65 - 90 days; harvest fresh when pods are plump and pale green, or leave to dry for storage

Phenology (Natural Timing Cues)

Direct Sow

Lima beans demand warmer soil than common beans - 65°F at planting depth is the true minimum. They sulk, rot, or fail to germinate in cold or even cool soil. Wait for nights to stay reliably above 55°F. In short-season climates choose bush varieties with shorter days to maturity. In warm zones successive sowings through summer extend the harvest. Pole limas need a longer season and warm weather to produce their best yields.

Soil at planting depth feels distinctly warm, not just mild.
Night temperatures are staying reliably above 55°F.
Last frost is at least 2 weeks past.

Start Dates (Your Location)

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Typical Last Frost

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Organic Growing Tips

Install trellises or bamboo poles before planting pole varieties to avoid disturbing roots later.
Let some plants fully dry on the vine in autumn to harvest dry limas for winter storage.
After harvest, cut plants at ground level rather than pulling to leave nitrogen-fixing roots intact.
Use insect netting during early growth to protect seedlings from bean beetle damage.

Common Pests

Mexican Bean Beetle
Aphids
Bean Leaf Beetle
Spider Mites
Deer

All pest management in Garden uses safe, organic, non-toxic methods only. No synthetic pesticides, ever.

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae
Family: Legume family (Fabaceae)
Genus: Phaseolus
Species: lunatus

Natural History

Phaseolus lunatus was independently domesticated twice: once in the Andes of Peru approximately 2,000 years ago producing the large-seeded "Lima" type, and once in Mesoamerica producing the smaller-seeded "Sieva" type. The Lima type is named for Lima, Peru, and was introduced to Europe by Spanish colonists in the 16th century; the Sieva type likely reached North America via Caribbean trade routes, where it became the butter bean of American southern gardens. Thomas Jefferson grew lima beans at Monticello, noting them in his Garden Book in 1809. For most of European horticultural history the lima bean was valued primarily in tropical and subtropical climates where common beans struggled - its tolerance for heat and humidity gave it a distinct ecological niche in warm American gardens.

Morphology (Plant Structure & Identification)

Root System
Fibrous roots with nitrogen-fixing nodules; roots form close to the surface and dislike any disturbance.
Stem
Bush varieties form compact, self-supporting plants 18 - 24 inches tall; pole varieties produce vigorous twining vines reaching 6 - 10 feet.
Leaves
Compound trifoliate leaves similar to common beans; smooth to slightly hairy; medium green.
Flowers
Small white to pale purple flowers held in clusters; self-pollinating.
Fruit
Flattened pods 2.5 - 4 inches long; bright green when immature, turning yellow-tan as seeds mature; seeds are large, flat, and kidney-shaped.

Known Varieties

Common cultivars worth knowing

Fordhook 242
Reliable bush lima with large, meaty beans; heat-tolerant and widely adaptable; the standard bush lima for American gardens.
Best for: fresh eating, freezing, beginners
Henderson
Small-seeded baby lima; compact bush plant with high productivity and good heat tolerance.
Best for: short seasons, canning, baby limas
King of the Garden
Vigorous pole variety with very large pods and beans; exceptional productivity in warm climates; classic heirloom.
Best for: warm zones, large harvests, long season
Christmas
Large-seeded heirloom pole lima with beautiful cream beans splashed with red; rich, chestnut-like flavor.
Best for: fresh eating, drying, ornamental appeal
Jackson Wonder
Compact bush variety with speckled seeds; good heat and drought tolerance; popular in southern gardens.
Best for: hot climates, dry conditions

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