Christmas Pole

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sink your spoon into the lush, velvety pods of Christmas Pole Lima Bean for a harvest that feels like a holiday gift—tender, creamy beans with a rich, buttery flavor and a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

This pole type climbs with steady vigor, producing generous, well-filled beans that are especially satisfying for hearty, spoonable dishes and comforting purées. Grow it for a long, rewarding season and enjoy the satisfying, homegrown taste that turns everyday meals into seasonal favorites.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Christmas Pole

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 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Christmas Pole lima beans cook to a silky, melt-in-the-mouth consistency—built for ladling and pureeing, not for crisp, high-heat treatments. When you want a buttery spoonful that thickens naturally, this is the variety to choose.

Best Uses

stew-and-purée dishes where the beans dissolve into a thick, cohesive spoonful
butter-salt sautés with garlic and herbs to highlight that velvety mouthfeel
succotash-style combinations where they stay tender (not chalky) and thicken the bowl
lima bean “mash” or spread for toast or folded into pasta

Flavor Profile

buttery, sweet-forward lima flavor creamy, spoonable texture when cooked through tender pods/birds-eye beans that go silky rather than starchy gentle, almost nutty finish

Kitchen Pairings

butter garlic lemon juice smoked bacon or pancetta black pepper parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Phaseolus lunatus (Christmas Pole/Christmas Lima) and how can I control it?

A frequent problem is anthracnose (dark, sunken spots on pods and leaves), which is encouraged by wet foliage and warm weather. Avoid overhead watering, space plants to improve airflow, and remove badly infected leaves or pods early. If you have repeated outbreaks, apply a labeled copper-based fungicide at the first signs and follow label timing for reapplication.

How often should I water Phaseolus lunatus during the main growing phase?

Water deeply about 1–2 times per week to keep the root zone evenly moist, not soggy—aim for consistent moisture from when vines start climbing until pod fill. When pods begin forming, don’t let the soil dry out completely; instead, water when the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry. Mulch around the base helps stabilize moisture for this vining bean.

How do I know when Phaseolus lunatus (Christmas Pole/Christmas Lima) is ready to harvest?

Harvest for fresh beans when pods are well-filled and firm, usually around 85 days, with seeds that look swollen and tender through the pod. If growing for drier beans, wait until pods turn tan/brown and dry on the vine, then harvest and dry further indoors. Pick regularly once pods start swelling to keep plants producing.