Henderson Bush Lima

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Velvety pods open to reveal Henderson Bush Lima’s creamy, tender beans—an inviting, buttery flavor that feels luxuriously smooth on the palate.

The compact bush habit makes it especially satisfying for home gardens, producing a steady harvest of uniform, meaty beans with a pleasing, not-too-firm texture. Grow it for classic lima bean favorites—ideal for steaming and simmering into rich, spoonable dishes, as well as for hearty soups and savory sauces.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Henderson Bush 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	Bush
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

These Henderson Bush Limas cook up creamy and plush without going grainy, so they love straightforward heat and fat—think butter, stock, and aromatics that cling to a spoon. They’re also a killer thickener because their texture stays tender through simmering rather than collapsing into mush.

Best Uses

steam and dress simply with browned butter and flaky salt
simmer into a spoonable succotash-style skillet with tomatoes and aromatics
blend into a coarse puree for thickening soups and chowders
stew slowly until creamy for comfort-food bean ragù

Flavor Profile

buttery, sweet-tasting creaminess tender meaty beans with a velvety bite gentle bean richness that takes on nearby flavors

Kitchen Pairings

browned butter lemon garlic onion smoked ham or bacon parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Phaseolus lunatus (lima beans), and how can I manage it?

A frequent issue is common bacterial blight and leaf spotting, especially in warm, humid weather. Remove and destroy infected leaves, keep plants spaced for airflow, and water at the soil line (not overhead) to avoid wet foliage. If it’s been severe, use a labeled copper or chlorothalonil product and re-apply according to the label after new growth starts or following rainy spells.

How often should I water Henderson Bush Lima during the main growing phase?

During flowering and pod fill (about weeks 4–10 after emergence), keep the soil consistently evenly moist but not soggy—aim for top 1–2 inches to dry slightly between waterings. Water deeply when the surface is dry, which for most gardens is about 2–3 times per week in warm weather (less if rainfall is frequent). Avoid letting beds dry out completely, since lima beans drop flowers and can form fewer pods when moisture is inconsistent.

How can I tell when Henderson Bush Lima (Phaseolus lunatus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are fully developed and the lima beans inside are swollen and tender—usually around 90 days from sowing. For “green” lima beans, pick when pods are still bright green and beans press back slightly without being hard; for dried beans, leave pods to dry on the plant until the pods turn papery and the beans rattle.