Hopi Yellow

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sunlit Hopi Yellow lima beans fill the pod with a mellow, buttery glow—tender, creamy kernels that feel luxuriously smooth and melt into a rich, velvety bite.

Expect a steady harvest of well-filled pods, with flavor that’s sweet and distinctly mellow, ideal for spoonable comfort in classic bean dishes and hearty sides. Grow Hopi Yellow for a golden table presence and the kind of texture that makes every serving feel specially made.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Bush

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	Bush
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

Hopi Yellow limes deliver that hallmark lima creaminess—tender kernels that practically melt, so they shine when you want a spoonable, velvety bite rather than a firm chew. Treat them gently with fat and aromatics (butter, thyme, garlic) and let them simmer to full softness; they’ll turn your pot into comfort without falling apart into mush.

Best Uses

braise into a velvety bean ragout with aromatics
fold into succotash-style mixes where they become creamy rather than watery
make a smooth, spoon-thick purée or “bean mash” side
use in hearty soups/stews for a comforting, silky mouthfeel

Flavor Profile

mellow, sweet-leaning bean flavor buttery, creamy kernel texture slightly nutty finish holds a soft, spoonable integrity

Kitchen Pairings

butter garlic thyme smoked ham or bacon onion black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely to hit Phaseolus lunatus (Christmas Lima “Hopi Yellow”), and what should I do first?

Watch for fungal leaf spots (often worse in humid weather) and treat early by removing badly spotted leaves and improving airflow around the plants. Water at the base so foliage stays dry, and if spots continue spreading, apply a copper-based fungicide following the label to protect new growth. Also avoid planting too densely, since Lima beans are prone to disease when leaves remain wet for long periods.

How often should I water Phaseolus lunatus during the main growing phase (from flowering through pod fill)?

Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy from when it starts flowering until pods are filling; aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 1–2 deep waterings. If the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil dries, water again—Lima beans drop flowers if they experience drought stress. Stop heavy watering near harvest to help pods dry down evenly.

How can I tell when Hopi Yellow lima beans are ready to harvest at about 85 days?

Harvest when pods are fully formed and the seeds inside feel firm—use your fingernail to test a seed; it should dent but not smear like soft green beans. The pods should be dry enough to shell easily, with a mature yellow color for the “Hopi Yellow” seeds. If plants are still wet after warm weather, pick and finish drying indoors in a dry, airy spot for a week or two before storing.