Thorogreen

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Meet Thorogreen, a warm-season lima with a lush, garden-fresh allure—pods that mature to a rich, green promise and beans that develop into creamy, tender kernels with a distinctly smooth, buttery bite.

Expect a velvety texture that shines in hearty bean dishes, as well as in fresh, lightly prepared servings where its gentle flavor can take center stage. Grow Thorogreen for a reliable 90-day rhythm and a harvest that feels both abundant and refined.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 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 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)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Thorogreen lima is built for that velvety, custardy bite—once cooked, it wants heat plus fat and a little acid to keep it tasting alive. Use it where it can stay soft and cohesive (smash, stew, or warm-dressed), not where you need crisp or snappy structure.

Best Uses

stewed beans with aromatics and a glossy finish
buttery smash of cooked kernels (thick, spoonable, not watery)
fresh-ish preparation: quick boil and dress while warm with acid and fat

Flavor Profile

creamy, buttery kernels mild, gently sweet legume flavor tender, melt-in-the-mouth texture

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic olive oil bacon parmesan black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Phaseolus lunatus (lima/“butter” bean) like Thorogreen, and what should I do?

A frequent issue is bean rust and other fungal leaf diseases (often showing as orange-brown spots), especially when leaves stay wet. Water at the soil line, thin for airflow, and remove badly spotted leaves early; if it’s spreading, use a labeled copper-based fungicide and reapply as directed on the label. Also avoid working in the plants when foliage is damp to reduce spread.

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

During flowering and pod fill, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Water deeply when the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of soil feel dry, since limas form poorly if they dry out repeatedly during pod development. In heavier soils, reduce frequency to prevent root stress from standing moisture.

How can I tell when Thorogreen (Phaseolus lunatus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are fully filled and the beans inside reach their mature size—typically around 90 days from sowing. For dried beans, let pods dry on the plant until they rattle and the stems are dry; for fresh/snap use, harvest earlier when pods are green and beans are tender. If you’re unsure, split one pod—mature beans will have the characteristic final coloration and firm, not soft, centers.