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Henderson Bush Lima · Zones 3–9
Growing Details
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Complete Growing Guide
Start your Henderson Bush Lima journey by selecting a sunny spot with well-draining soil. These compact beans thrive in sandy loam enriched with compost or aged manure worked in 2-3 weeks before planting. Test your soil pH — Henderson Bush Limas prefer slightly acidic to neutral conditions (6.0-7.0).
Timing is crucial for success. Wait until soil temperatures consistently reach 65°F, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In zones 3-5, this usually means late May to early June. Cold, wet soil will cause seeds to rot before germinating. Test soil temperature 2 inches deep in the morning — if it's warm to the touch, you're ready to plant.
Direct sow seeds 1-2 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart in rows spaced 18-24 inches apart. Unlike pole varieties, Henderson Bush Limas need no support structure, making them perfect for container growing. Use pots at least 12 inches deep with drainage holes. Plant 3-4 seeds per 12-inch container.
Fertilizing requires a light touch. These nitrogen-fixing legumes need minimal feeding — too much nitrogen produces lush foliage but fewer pods. Apply a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer at planting, then side-dress with compost when flowers appear. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers throughout the growing season.
Water consistently but never allow soggy conditions. Henderson Bush Limas are surprisingly drought-tolerant once established, but consistent moisture during flowering and pod development increases yields dramatically. Water at soil level to prevent leaf diseases, applying 1 inch per week through drip irrigation or soaker hoses.
Common mistakes include planting too early in cold soil, overwatering, and overcrowding. Space plants properly for good air circulation — this variety's dense foliage can harbor moisture and invite fungal problems. In humid climates, consider wider spacing (8 inches between plants).
Maximize yields by harvesting regularly and mulching around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. These determinate plants produce most pods within a 3-week window, so succession plant every 2 weeks until 10 weeks before first expected fall frost for continuous harvests through summer.
Harvesting
Henderson Bush Lima beans are ready for fresh harvest when pods are plump and bright green, typically 65-75 days from planting. The pods should feel full when gently squeezed, with beans clearly outlined through the pod wall. For fresh shell beans, harvest when pods are fully filled but still tender — the beans inside should be pale green and give slightly to pressure.
Perform the 'snap test': fresh pods should break cleanly when bent. If pods are tough or leathery, the beans inside may be overmature and starchy. Harvest in early morning when pods are crisp and full of moisture, avoiding the heat of midday when pods can become limp.
Use both hands when harvesting — hold the stem with one hand while gently pulling pods with the other to avoid damaging the plant. Henderson Bush Lima plants continue producing for 3-4 weeks, so check plants every 2-3 days during peak season. For dried beans, allow pods to turn brown and papery on the plant, then harvest entire pods and shell beans for storage.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Henderson Bush Lima beans keep best shelled and stored in perforated bags in the refrigerator, maintaining quality for 3-5 days. For optimal flavor, use within 48 hours of harvest — the sugars convert to starch quickly after picking.
For freezing, blanch shelled beans in boiling water for 2 minutes, then plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in airtight containers for up to 10 months. Henderson Bush Limas freeze exceptionally well, retaining their creamy texture better than larger lima varieties.
To dry beans for winter storage, allow pods to mature on plants until papery brown. Shell beans and spread on screens in a warm, dry location with good air circulation. Properly dried beans (10-14% moisture) store in airtight containers for 2-3 years. These small limas are perfect for soups and stews, requiring shorter cooking times than large lima varieties.
History & Origin
Henderson Bush Lima beans trace their lineage to the Andes Mountains, where lima beans originated over 7,000 years ago. This specific variety was developed and introduced by the Peter Henderson & Company seed house of New York in the 1880s, during America's golden age of vegetable breeding.
Peter Henderson, a Scottish immigrant and influential American horticulturist, selected this variety for its compact growth habit and early maturity — qualities that made lima beans accessible to northern gardeners for the first time. The variety was originally called 'Henderson's Bush Lima' and was marketed as the solution for gardeners who wanted lima beans but lacked the long, hot growing seasons required by traditional pole varieties.
This heirloom became particularly popular during World War I and II victory garden campaigns, when space-efficient, nutritious vegetables were in high demand. The variety's ability to thrive in cooler conditions and smaller spaces made it invaluable for urban and northern gardeners. Today, Henderson Bush Lima remains virtually unchanged from Henderson's original selection, representing over 140 years of reliable garden performance.
Advantages
- +Exceptionally early maturity at 65 days makes it suitable for short northern growing seasons
- +Compact 18-inch plants require no staking or trellising, perfect for small gardens and containers
- +Superior cold tolerance compared to other lima varieties allows earlier planting
- +Concentrated harvest window makes processing and preserving more efficient
- +Small bean size cooks faster and more evenly than large lima varieties
- +Reliable producer even in marginal growing conditions and cooler summers
- +Dense foliage provides natural weed suppression around plants
Considerations
- -Lower total yield per plant compared to pole lima varieties
- -Short harvest window means less continuous production than indeterminate types
- -Small bean size means more shelling work for the same volume of beans
- -Susceptible to root rot in heavy, poorly-drained soils
- -Plants can become top-heavy and lodge in windy conditions without support
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Marigold
Repels Mexican bean beetles and aphids while attracting beneficial insects
Basil
Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips that commonly attack lima beans
Summer Savory
Deters Mexican bean beetles and may improve bean flavor and growth
Corn
Provides natural support structure and benefits from nitrogen fixation by beans
Carrots
Helps break up soil for bean roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Radishes
Breaks up compacted soil and deters cucumber beetles that may affect beans
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while attracting predatory insects
Rosemary
Repels Mexican bean beetles and other bean pests with strong aromatic oils
Keep Apart
Onions
May inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through allelopathic compounds
Sunflowers
Competes heavily for nutrients and water, may shade out bush lima beans
Fennel
Produces allelopathic chemicals that inhibit growth of legumes including lima beans
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Some tolerance to downy mildew, generally hardy variety
Common Pests
Mexican bean beetle, lima bean pod borer, stink bugs
Diseases
Bacterial blight, downy mildew, root rot