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When to Plant Christmas Lima Beans in Florida

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.

Florida spans USDA hardiness zones 10a, 10b, 11a, 8b, 9a, 9b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Christmas Lima Beans planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Christmas Lima Beans Planting Calendar for Florida

Zone 10a ~364 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors November 20 Nov 20 – Dec 4
Transplant Outdoors January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 22
Direct Sow January 1 Jan 1 – Jan 22
Harvest April 2 Apr 2 – May 7
Zone 10b ~364 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors November 20 Nov 20 – Dec 4
Transplant Outdoors January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 22
Direct Sow January 1 Jan 1 – Jan 22
Harvest April 2 Apr 2 – May 7
Zone 11a ~364 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors November 20 Nov 20 – Dec 4
Transplant Outdoors January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 22
Direct Sow January 1 Jan 1 – Jan 22
Harvest April 2 Apr 2 – May 7
Zone 8b ~276 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 25 · First frost: November 28 · 276 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 7 Jan 7 – Jan 21
Transplant Outdoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 25
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 – Jul 8
Zone 9a ~303 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 10 · First frost: December 10 · 303 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 30 Dec 30 – Jan 13
Transplant Outdoors February 17 Feb 17 – Mar 3
Direct Sow February 10 Feb 10 – Mar 3
Harvest May 12 May 12 – Jun 16
Zone 9b ~329 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 25 · First frost: December 20 · 329 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 14 Dec 14 – Dec 28
Transplant Outdoors February 1 Feb 1 – Feb 15
Direct Sow January 25 Jan 25 – Feb 15
Harvest April 26 Apr 26 – May 31

Growing Tips for Florida

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Christmas Lima Beans in Florida?

Planting dates for Christmas Lima Beans in Florida depend on your USDA zone. Florida spans zones 10a, 10b, 11a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Florida for planting?

Florida contains USDA hardiness zones 10a, 10b, 11a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.