The Best Lima Bean Varieties to Grow: Bush, Pole, Baby, and Large-Seeded Types

Lima beans have been a steady part of my warm-season plantings for decades, and over time I’ve learned that choosing the right variety makes all the difference in yield, flavor, and overall success. Whether you garden in a small space, have a long growing season, or simply want the richest, creamiest limas possible, there’s a variety suited for your needs. Here’s my experience-based guide to the best bush, pole, baby, and large-seeded lima beans to grow.

Table of Contents

Best Bush Lima Bean Varieties

Bush limas are compact, early maturing, and reliable in most warm-summer climates. I plant these every year for my earliest harvests.

Fordhook 242 (Large-Seeded)

If I could grow only one bush lima, this would be it. Fordhook 242 is remarkably heat tolerant, sets pods even during our hot Sonoma Valley summers, and produces large, meaty beans with a rich, buttery flavor. It performs well even when nighttime temperatures fluctuate.

Henderson Baby Lima

A dependable classic baby lima. It produces small, tender beans with a smooth texture and mild flavor. This variety is quick to mature—perfect for gardeners with short seasons or for succession planting.

Early Thorogreen

A compact, early baby lima with excellent productivity. I’ve grown it when I wanted a midseason pick that doesn’t require staking or a long season. The beans are small but full-flavored.

Best Pole Lima Bean Varieties

Pole limas need more time to mature, but the flavor and yield make them worth the wait. I grow at least one pole variety every summer.

Christmas Lima (Large-Seeded)

A long-time favorite in my garden. Christmas lima produces large, beautifully mottled beans with a chestnut-like flavor. The vines are vigorous and thrive in heat. These are unbeatable for soups, salads, and slow simmering.

Willow Leaf Lima

One of the most productive pole limas I’ve grown. Its unique slender leaves resist heat stress, and the bean flavor is exceptional—dense, creamy, and full. It’s a good choice for gardeners who struggle with blossom drop.

King of the Garden

A reliable large-seeded pole variety. These vines climb vigorously and produce big pods filled with plump, buttery beans. Best for long, warm growing seasons.

Best Baby Lima Varieties

Baby limas are small-seeded types that mature earlier and tolerate a range of climates. I grow them when I want steady yields with less risk from heat or cool nights.

Thorogreen

A quick-maturing baby lima that handles inconsistent summer weather better than most. I depend on it in years when spring lingers longer than expected.

Henderson

Still one of the best baby limas for uniformity and yield. The small beans are tender and ideal for freezing.

Speckled Baby Lima

A fun addition for gardeners who enjoy colorful seeds. These beans have a mild flavor and perform well in both bush and semi-bush forms.

Best Large-Seeded Lima Varieties

Large-seeded limas are known for their creamy, full-bodied texture and rich flavor—this is the group I grow most frequently for cooking.

Fordhook 242

Consistently the best large-seeded bush lima for hot climates. The beans hold their shape well when cooked and have deep, buttery flavor.

Christmas Lima

The unbeatable pole type for large, richly flavored beans. Long season, huge payoff.

Giant Speckled Pole Lima

Produces enormous beans with striking mottling and a savory, earthy taste. I grow these when I want a showpiece variety.

Which Variety Should You Choose?

From my own garden experience:

For small spaces or early harvests: choose Fordhook 242, Henderson, or Early Thorogreen.
For the richest flavor and highest yield: plant pole types like Christmas Lima or Willow Leaf.
For color and character: try Giant Speckled or Speckled Baby.

With good heat, consistent watering, and fertile soil, lima beans reward the gardener with big yields and unmatched flavor. Choosing the right variety is the first step to a successful crop.