Christmas

Family: Fabaceae Legume

A festive harvest with a rich, creamy allure—Christmas lima beans develop into plump, tender pods that yield smooth, buttery kernels with a gently sweet, nutty depth.

The texture is luxuriously velvety once cooked, making these beans a standout for hearty bowls, comforting purées, and spoonable sauces. Grow Christmas for a long, satisfying season and a dependable, garden-to-table bounty that feels like a holiday tradition in every scoop.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Climbing

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 29th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Climbing
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Christmas lima beans cook into kernels that go genuinely silky—less grainy, more custardy—so they deserve a hot spoon rather than a tossed-on salad. Use them with salty fat (bacon or parmesan) and a hit of lemon to keep the sweetness bright instead of heavy.

Best Uses

butter-slick purée or smash for spoonable sides
hearty lima-bean stew with a slow, starchy body
creamier-than-average bean salads where they hold their tenderness
thickening beans for rustic soups and ragù-style sauces

Flavor Profile

gently sweet, nutty depth buttery, creamy mouthfeel once cooked soft, velvety interiors with a mild beany finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon smoked bacon olive oil parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

Christmas Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) — what pest or disease problem is most common and how do I treat it?

A frequent issue on Phaseolus lunatus is fungal rust (brown/orange pustules on leaves) and related leaf spotting, especially in humid weather. Remove and discard affected leaves, water at the soil line (not overhead), and improve airflow by spacing plants properly. If it’s spreading, apply a labeled copper-based fungicide early and repeat according to the label; avoid watering late in the day to reduce new infections.

How often should I water Christmas Lima beans during the main growing phase (after germination)?

During flowering and pod fill, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings during hot spells. Water when the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry, since Lima beans are sensitive to drought during pod development. Consistently wet soil can trigger root and fungal problems, so ensure good drainage and avoid standing water.

When are Christmas Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are fully developed and the seeds inside look plump, usually around 95 days from sowing. For shelled beans, pick when pods are dry-to-paper-like and the seeds are firm; for fresh (green) beans, harvest a bit earlier when pods are still tender and seeds are fully sized. Taste-test one—if seeds are starchy or small, wait a little longer before picking the rest.