How to grow Lima Beans
Updated October 2026
Lima beans, also called butter beans in the South, are warm-season beans grown for their plump seeds. They need warmer soil and a longer season than snap beans, and come as quick bush types or vigorous pole types that climb. Always cook them well: raw lima beans are not safe to eat.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Lima Beans
Not to be confused with: Lima beans are a different species from snap or bush beans and need more heat. Southern peas, such as black-eyed peas, are another heat-loving crop sometimes confused with butter beans.
Where to plant
Lima beans need full sun and consistently moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter; they do poorly in shade. Wait until the danger of frost has passed and the soil is warm, as the seed rots in cold, wet ground.
They handle heat slightly better than snap beans, though pod set can slow in the hottest part of summer.
- Florida: UF/IFAS lists March to August in North Florida, February to March and August to September in Central Florida, and September to April in South Florida.
- The Gulf South, Texas and the Desert Southwest: sow in spring after the last frost and again in late summer for a fall crop.
- The rest of the country: sow outdoors at or after the last frost date, once the soil is warm. In short seasons choose bush types, which mature sooner.
Choosing a variety
| Type | Examples and notes |
|---|---|
| Bush | Earlier, no support needed: 'Fordhook 242', 'Henderson', 'Jackson Wonder' and 'Dixie Butterpea' |
| Pole | Climbing vines that yield over a longer season: 'Big 6', 'Christmas' and 'Willow Leaf' |
How to plant
- Sow seed outdoors after the danger of frost has passed, 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep. You can also start seed in pots 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost and plant out.
- Space seeds 3 to 6 inches apart in rows about 18 inches apart.
- Give pole types a trellis, poles or a fence to climb. In Florida they are sometimes grown up sweet corn for support.
- Feed at about half the rate used for other vegetables. Too much nitrogen gives leaves instead of beans.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil evenly moist, especially while plants flower and set pods. Water at the base rather than over the leaves, and mulch to hold moisture and keep the roots cool.
Pruning and care through the year
- Protect young seedlings from slugs until they are established.
- Check plants for stink bugs, which damage the pods, and Mexican bean beetles, which skeletonize the leaves.
- Pick regularly to keep plants flowering.
Harvesting
For fresh shelled limas, pick when the pods are plump and well filled but still bright green. For dry beans, leave the pods on the plant until they are dry and papery, then shell and store the beans.
Always cook lima beans thoroughly, fresh or dried; they should not be eaten raw.
Companion planting
Lima beans fix some of their own nitrogen and pair well with tall or sprawling summer crops.
Good companions
- Sweet corn Corn stalks can support pole limas, an old pairing UF/IFAS mentions for beans.
- Squash Shades the ground between bean rows in summer.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to lima beans.
Pests and diseases
Stink bugs and bean beetles are the main pests. Root-knot nematodes are a problem in sandy Southern soils.
Pests to watch for
- Stink bugs Shield-shaped bugs feeding on pods, leaving shriveled or spotted beans.
- Mexican bean beetle Copper beetles and yellow spiny larvae that skeletonize the leaves.
- Aphids Clusters on young shoots and flowers.
- Root-knot nematodes Stunted plants with knotted, swollen roots in sandy soil.
Diseases to watch for
- Downy mildew White, downy growth on pods and leaves in cool, wet weather.
- Powdery mildew White powdery coating on leaves.
Common questions
When should I plant lima beans?
After the last frost, once the soil is warm. Lima beans need warmer soil than snap beans, and the seed rots in cold, wet ground. In Florida, check the UF/IFAS planting dates for your part of the state.
Are lima beans safe to eat raw?
No. Always cook lima beans thoroughly, whether fresh or dried.
What is the difference between bush and pole limas?
Bush types are compact and mature earlier. Pole types climb and need support but crop over a longer season.
Why are my lima beans flowering but not setting pods?
Very hot weather can slow pod set, and too much nitrogen fertilizer gives lush leaves with few beans. Feed at half the usual rate and keep plants watered; pods usually set again when temperatures ease.
When do I pick lima beans?
For fresh beans, when the pods are plump and full but still green. For dried beans, when the pods have dried on the plant.
Are butter beans the same as lima beans?
Yes. Butter beans is a common Southern name for lima beans, especially the smaller types.
Sources we checked: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Phaseolus lunatus; UF/IFAS EDIS: Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (VH021).
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