Bean Seeds - Bush - Henderson Lima
65-85 Days to maturity. Phaseolus lunatus. Henderson Lima Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high-yielding, heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant, bush, shell, lima bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Native to Central America, lima beans (also called butter beans, especially in the South) are ideal for warmer climates with plenty of sunlight. Lima beans can thrive in soils that drain well and have an average temperature. The smaller-seeded strains are also known as butter beans and are described as having a buttery texture and a delicate flavor. They are great for canning and freezing. The Henderson Lima Bean is a popular lima bean variety valued for its productivity, reliability, and adaptability. ~66 seeds/oz.
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Growing Henderson Lima Beans in the Vegetable Garden
Choose a sunny site with well-drained soil and direct sow after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 65 F. Plant seeds 1 inch deep, since lima beans do not transplant well and germinate best in warm ground.
Space seeds 4 to 6 inches apart in rows 18 to 24 inches apart and water consistently, especially during dry weather. Work compost into the soil before planting and avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizers. Weed carefully to protect shallow roots, and let the plants shade out weeds as they fill in.
Harvesting Henderson Lima Beans
Henderson is a shelling lima grown for the beans inside the pods. For fresh use, harvest when pods are filled and light green, then shell right away. For dry storage, leave pods on the plant until they turn brown and dry, then harvest and shell.
Pick pods by hand or snip them off to avoid damaging stems. If pods are tough to shell, let them dry for a few days in a well-ventilated place before shelling.
About Henderson Lima Bean Garden Seeds
Introduced in 1888 by Peter Henderson & Co., this heirloom is known for early harvests and dependable yields. Also called "Baby Lima," it produces small, white beans with a creamy, buttery flavor on compact bush plants.
Henderson is a good choice for warm climates and smaller spaces, including raised beds and containers, thanks to its tidy habit and steady production.
Stories From Our Gardeners
"Lima beans, including Henderson lima beans, are a nutritious addition to the diet. They are high in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients like iron, magnesium, and potassium. "
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Henderson Lima Bean Seeds Per Package:
- 20 g - Approximately 46 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 264 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 1,056 Seeds
- 5 lb - Approximately 5,280 Seeds
- 25 lb - Approximately 26,400 Seeds
Non-GMO Henderson Lima Bean seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
=======Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Phaseolus lunatus |
| Bean Sub-Type: | Lima - Lima beans (also called butter beans, sieva beans, or double beans) are large, flat beans originally from South America. They have a mild flavor with a creamy texture. |
| Henderson Lima Bean Color: | Green, White |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 65-85 |
| Days to Germination: | 5-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 1 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 4-6 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 18-24 inches |
| Plant Height: | 18-24 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Upright |
| Soil Preference: | Beans prefer well-draining, nutrient-rich, loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. As light feeders and nitrogen-fixing legumes, beans do not require nitrogen-heavy fertilizers. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F). |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | Yes, direct sow when soil temperatures are reliably above 60 F. Planting with an inoculant may increase yields, but is certainly not required for a successful grow. |
| Start Indoors: | Not Recommended. Beans grow best without any root disturbance. We recommend direct sowing instead of transplanting. |
| Bean Pollination: | Beans are self-pollinating as they contain both the male and female parts within their flowers, unlike other fruit and vegetable plants. While they are self-pollinating, having various pollinators and flowers around will improve yields by increasing the likelihood of pollination. |
| Snap or Shell Bean: | Shell - Shell beans, or shelling beans, have a non-edible woody or fibrous husk that contains the edible beans within. For example, edamame has the beans inside, but you wouldn't want to eat the husk. |
| Pole or Bush Bean: | Bush - Bush beans grow on low-growing, compact, upright, bushy plants that typically do not need a trellis, pole, or other support. Bush beans are usually favorable to container growing. |
| Plant Width: | 10-12 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Mid - Ready for harvest around 66-86 days. |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Germination Temperature: | 70-90 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Beans are susceptible to beetles, aphids, spider mites, and cutworms. Look for signs of chewing, curling leaves, eggs on the undersides of leaves, and leaf discoloration. Keep your bean plants clean of dust buildup and surrounded by a variety of plants to help deter pests. Beans are also susceptible to powdery mildew, bean blight, rust, and root rot. Maintain a regular watering schedule that avoids overly saturated soil. The roots need adequate time to air out between watering. This will also help prevent common fungal and bacterial diseases from developing. Good air circulation and applying water to the ground rather than to the leaves will help maintain healthy growth in bean plants. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container |
| Bean Use: | Typically used for shelling beans. They are versatile in the kitchen and can be used in soups, stews, casseroles, and side dishes. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat, Drought |