Christmas Pole Lima

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sink your spoon into the velvety, creamy flesh of Christmas Pole Lima—tender beans with a rich, buttery flavor and a satisfyingly smooth bite.

This vigorous pole type climbs with confidence, delivering a steady harvest of large, holiday-bright pods that open to show beautifully colored beans ideal for hearty, comforting dishes and spoon-ready sides. Grow it for the kind of dependable, homegrown abundance that turns everyday meals into seasonal favorites.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Christmas Pole Lima

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Christmas Pole Lima cooks up creamy and cohesive, the kind of bean that practically plates itself—no gritty bite if you give it enough time to fully soften. Its buttery profile loves salty pork fats and sharp acid, so it stays luxuriously smooth rather than tasting flat.

Best Uses

butter-braised limas finished with a squeeze of lemon
thick soup or chowder base where the beans help it go creamy
succotash-style skillet with peppers and onion (no char-burn)
hot-side spooning over rice or polenta for a comfort-food hold

Flavor Profile

buttery, rich bean flavor creamy, spoonable tenderness gentle sweetness with a soft vegetal finish silky mouthfeel when cooked fresh or properly softened

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon chicken or vegetable stock bacon or ham thyme parmesan cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease or pest for Phaseolus lunatus (Christmas pole lima) and how do I manage it?

A frequent problem is powdery mildew, which shows up as a white-gray dusting on leaves during warm, humid weather. Start by spacing plants for airflow and watering at the soil line (not the leaves), then remove badly affected leaf clusters. If mildew keeps spreading, spray a labeled sulfur or potassium bicarbonate product according to the label to protect new growth.

How often should I water Christmas pole lima during its main growing phase?

During pod and seed fill (after it begins flowering), keep the soil consistently evenly moist but never waterlogged—about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Water deeply 1–2 times per week so moisture reaches the root zone, and let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root stress.

How can I tell when Christmas pole lima (Phaseolus lunatus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are fully sized, the seeds inside have developed to their mature creamy color, and pods look firm rather than stringy. For the best eating quality, pick frequently at peak firmness and sweetness—often starting around the 90-day mark and continuing for several pickings as new pods mature. If you wait until pods begin to dry down, the seeds become starchier and less tender.