Christmas Lima Beans Planting Guide
Christmas lima beans are a large, beautifully marbled heirloom bean with a rich, chestnut-like flavor. They are a climbing variety that produces generously in warm weather.
Phaseolus lunatus · Vegetable · Fabaceae family · 80–100 days to maturity
Where Can You Grow Christmas Lima Beans?
Christmas Lima Beans Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Christmas Lima Beans planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4a | Mar 4 | May 20 | May 27 | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Zone 4b | Feb 27 | May 15 | May 22 | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Zone 5a | Feb 28 | May 2 | May 9 | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Zone 5b | Feb 21 | Apr 25 | May 2 | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Zone 6a | Feb 13 | Apr 17 | Apr 24 | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 6 | Apr 10 | Apr 17 | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 4 | Apr 1 | Apr 8 | Jul 1 – Aug 5 |
| Zone 7b | Jan 28 | Mar 25 | Apr 1 | Jun 24 – Jul 29 |
| Zone 8a | Jan 18 | Mar 15 | Mar 22 | Jun 14 – Jul 19 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 7 | Mar 4 | Mar 11 | Jun 3 – Jul 8 |
| Zone 9a | Dec 30 | Feb 10 | Feb 17 | May 12 – Jun 16 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 14 | Jan 25 | Feb 1 | Apr 26 – May 31 |
| Zone 10a | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 2 – May 7 |
| Zone 10b | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 2 – May 7 |
| Zone 11a | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 2 – May 7 |
| Zone 11b | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 2 – May 7 |
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
Water
Moderate — regular watering
Soil pH
6 – 7
Hardiness Zones
Zone 4a – 11b
Growing Tips
Direct sow after soil is warm. Provide tall trellising for vigorous vines. Harvest for fresh shelling when pods are plump or allow to dry on the vine for storage.
Saving Christmas Lima Beans Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Christmas Lima Beans by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Brunswick
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- Saskatchewan
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Yukon
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Christmas Lima Beans?
Christmas Lima Beans (Phaseolus lunatus) takes 80 to 100 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Christmas Lima Beans grow in?
Christmas Lima Beans can be grown in USDA zones 4a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Christmas Lima Beans need?
Growing Christmas Lima Beans requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.