How to Grow Lima Beans for Warm Climates

Lima beans, also known as butter beans, are a warm-season legume prized for their creamy texture and rich flavor. They thrive in long, hot summers and are ideal for gardeners in warm climates who want a reliable, low-maintenance crop. Growing lima beans successfully requires choosing the right varieties, providing proper soil and water conditions, and knowing when to harvest.

Table of Contents

🌱 Choosing the Right Lima Bean Variety

There are two main types of lima beans:

Bush varieties: Compact, grow 12–24 inches tall, and produce all pods within a short period. Examples: Henderson Bush, Thorogreen.
Pole varieties: Climbing plants that can reach 6–8 feet and produce pods over a longer season. Examples: King of the Garden, Carolina Sieva.

Select a variety suited to your garden space and desired harvest period. Bush types are easier for small gardens or containers, while pole types are better for trellises or fences.

🌤️ Planting Lima Beans

Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with pH 6–7.5. Enrich with compost before planting.
Temperature: Lima beans need warm soil (70–85°F / 21–29°C) and are frost-sensitive.
Planting depth: Sow seeds 1–1.5 inches deep.
Spacing: Bush beans: 12–18 inches apart; Pole beans: 6–12 inches apart, 24–36 inches between rows.
Timing: Plant after the last frost and when soil is fully warm. In Zone 9 and warmer climates, planting can occur from late spring through early summer.

💧 Watering and Care

Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and pod development. Avoid waterlogging.
Mulching: Helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and keep soil warm.
Support: Pole varieties require trellises, cages, or stakes. Bush varieties generally do not need support.
Fertilization: Lima beans fix their own nitrogen; a side-dressing of compost or balanced fertilizer is optional if soil is poor.

🌾 Flowering and Pod Development

Flowers appear 4–6 weeks after planting.
Beans set best with warm temperatures and consistent moisture.
Avoid excessive nitrogen after flowering, as it can promote leaf growth over pods.

🫘 Harvesting Lima Beans

Baby (immature) beans: Pick when pods are still flat, green, and tender.
Mature beans: Harvest when pods are full and seeds are plump.
Drying beans: Allow pods to fully mature and dry on the plant for long-term storage.

Harvest regularly to encourage continued production, especially for pole varieties.

🌿 Companion Planting and Benefits

Companion plants: corn, cucumbers, squash, potatoes, and sunflowers.
Lima beans improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, benefiting future crops.
Avoid planting near onions or garlic, which can inhibit growth.

🌱 My Experience

In my warm Sonoma Valley garden, I plant bush Henderson lima beans for a quick summer harvest and Carolina Sieva pole beans on a trellis for a continuous crop. With well-drained soil, consistent moisture, and regular harvesting, lima beans provide tender, buttery beans from midsummer through early fall.

🗓️ Lima Bean Planting-to-Harvest Timeline

Stage	Timing (Approx.)	Key Tasks	Notes
Soil Preparation	2–3 weeks before planting	Loosen soil, incorporate compost, remove weeds	Well-drained soil is critical to avoid root rot
Sowing Seeds	After last frost, soil 70–85°F (21–29°C)	Plant seeds 1–1.5 inches deep, spaced appropriately	Bush: 12–18 in apart; Pole: 6–12 in apart, 24–36 in rows
Germination	7–14 days	Keep soil consistently moist	Avoid waterlogging; seeds need warmth to sprout
Seedling Stage	2–4 weeks after germination	Thin if crowded, maintain weed-free soil	Mulch to retain moisture and warmth
Vegetative Growth	4–6 weeks	Monitor for pests, occasional watering	Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer
Flowering	4–6 weeks	Plants produce small white or purple flowers	Pole varieties may require trellis support
Pod Formation	6–8 weeks	Ensure even moisture, continue harvesting baby beans if desired	Excess water can reduce pod set
Harvest (Baby Beans)	6–8 weeks	Pick pods while flat and tender	Frequent harvesting encourages more pods
Harvest (Mature Beans)	8–10 weeks	Pick pods when seeds are plump	For dry beans, allow pods to fully mature on plant
Storage (Dry Beans)	Post-harvest	Shell and air-dry, store in airtight containers	Lasts up to 1 year in cool, dry conditions