SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Christmas Lima

Lima Bean
Zone 11b Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Christmas Lima to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.
Botanical illustration of Christmas Lima
90d to harvest

Sweetly fragrant at harvest, Christmas Lima brings a creamy, buttery richness with a gentle, nutty finish—beans that feel velvety and substantial in the pod. The mature seeds develop a festive, holiday-ready look while holding their shape beautifully, making them a favorite for hearty, spoonable dishes and comforting purées. Grow this classic market lima for dependable performance and a satisfying harvest you’ll look forward to all season long.

Crop Dates

Growing note: Frost-free Zone 11b supports continuous outdoor production.
MilestoneDate
ClimateFrost-Free Climate
Growing ApproachContinuous Production

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity90
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitVine
Support NeededTrellis
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)70
Min Soil Temp (°F)60
Min Night Temp (°F)50
Harden Off (days)Not Required

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Christmas Lima in Zone 11b typically begins around throughout the growing season. Wait until soil reaches at least 60°F before transplanting Christmas Lima.

Garden Alerts

Frost-free Zone 11b supports continuous outdoor production.

Recommended Companions

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Regal F1 Cucumber
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Sweet Success Cucumber
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Purple Plum Radish
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Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I water Christmas lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) during the main growing phase?
During flowering and pod-filling (roughly weeks 4–10), keep soil consistently evenly moist but not waterlogged. In most home gardens that means watering deeply about 1–2 times per week, increasing to 2–3 times per week during hot, dry spells, with the goal of moist soil in the top 6–8 inches. Stop short of soggy beds because lima beans in Fabaceae are prone to root stress and disease when soil stays saturated.
When are Christmas lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) ready to harvest?
For fresh (green) lima beans, harvest when pods are fully filled and beans inside are tender and can be pierced easily with a fingernail, typically around 90 days from sowing. For dry shell beans, leave pods on the plant until foliage yellows and pods rattle when shaken, then dry them further indoors if needed before storing. Pick green beans frequently to keep plants producing and avoid pods overskewing into tough, overmature texture.
Botanical illustration of Christmas Lima

Sweetly fragrant at harvest, Christmas Lima brings a creamy, buttery richness with a gentle, nutty finish—beans that feel velvety and substantial in the pod. The mature seeds develop a festive, holiday-ready look while holding their shape beautifully, making them a favorite for hearty, spoonable dishes and comforting purées. Grow this classic market lima for dependable performance and a satisfying harvest you’ll look forward to all season long.

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Christmas Lima in Zone 11b typically begins around throughout the growing season. Wait until soil reaches at least 60°F before transplanting Christmas Lima.

Garden Alerts

Frost-free Zone 11b supports continuous outdoor production.

Sowing Tips

Soil Temperature

Direct sow or transplant when soil at planting depth holds 60°F for reliable germination and early growth.

Expert Note

Christmas Lima is a warm-season pole bean—direct sow after soil warms and avoid transplanting to protect the root system.