Henderson Bush Lima
Phaseolus lunatus 'Henderson Bush'
A compact, early-maturing lima bean perfect for northern gardens and small spaces, producing abundant crops of small, buttery lima beans in just 65 days. This reliable heirloom has been a garden favorite since the 1880s, valued for its dependable production and rich, creamy flavor. Unlike larger lima varieties, Henderson Bush thrives in cooler conditions and doesn't require the long, hot growing season that limits other lima beans.
Harvest
65-75d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
3–9
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Moderate
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Henderson Bush Lima in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 bean →Zone Map
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Henderson Bush Lima · Zones 3–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | — | July – August | October – August |
| Zone 2 | — | — | June – August | September – September |
| Zone 11 | — | — | January – March | April – June |
| Zone 12 | — | — | January – March | April – June |
| Zone 13 | — | — | January – March | April – June |
| Zone 3 | — | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 6 | — | — | May – June | August – September |
| Zone 7 | — | — | April – June | July – September |
| Zone 8 | — | — | April – May | July – August |
| Zone 9 | — | — | March – April | June – July |
| Zone 10 | — | — | February – April | May – July |
Succession Planting
Direct sow Henderson Bush Lima every 2-3 weeks from April through early June in zone 7, with a hard cutoff around June 15. The UGA Vegetable Garden Calendar specifically calls out successive lima bean plantings through May — after that you're racing the heat, since limas shed blossoms when daytime temps push consistently above 90°F. At 65-75 days to harvest, a mid-June sowing will still finish before first frost, but there's almost no buffer if summer runs hot.
Don't rush the first sowing either. Soil needs to be at least 60°F for reliable germination — a too-early April planting into cold ground will stall out and rot. A $10 soil thermometer saves you a lot of re-seeding.
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
Edibility: EDIBLE PARTS: Toxicity is only partially destroyed by cooking; therefore do not cook the ornamental, striped beans grown for the flowers and foliage
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
Origin: Tropics
Considerations
- -Toxic (Roots, Seeds): High severity
Companion Plants
Summer savory is worth prioritizing here — it has a long track record planted alongside limas specifically to deter Mexican bean beetle, and it's one of the few companion claims that holds up to scrutiny. French marigolds (Tagetes patula) pull double duty by drawing predatory wasps and disrupting aphid navigation. Corn is a reasonable neighbor because limas fix nitrogen that feeds the heavier-feeding corn, and the two don't compete much at the root level. Keep onions out of the same bed — their root-zone chemistry actively stunts bean development — and put fennel somewhere it can't reach anything, since it's broadly allelopathic and one of the few plants that genuinely earns its exile from the vegetable garden.
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
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346400)
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
Troubleshooting Henderson Bush Lima
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Leaves with chunks missing, irregular holes, or skeletonized patches — often noticed around week 5-7
Likely Causes
- Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis) — adults and larvae both feed on leaf undersides
- Bean leaf beetle (Cerotoma trifurcata) — UGA's Georgia Pest Management calendar flags this as one of the top 10 culprits in warm-season beans
What to Do
- 1.Flip leaves and hand-pick yellow egg clusters and soft yellow larvae; drop them in soapy water
- 2.Spray neem oil or spinosad on leaf undersides every 7 days until feeding stops
- 3.Rotate beans out of that bed next season — planting in the same spot for 5+ consecutive years builds up pest pressure fast
Water-soaked or brown greasy-looking spots on leaves and pods, sometimes with a yellow halo
Likely Causes
- Bacterial blight (Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola or Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli) — spreads fast in wet, humid weather
- Overhead irrigation splashing infected soil onto foliage
What to Do
- 1.Switch to a soaker hose or drip irrigation — keeping water off the leaves slows transmission significantly
- 2.Remove and trash (don't compost) affected plant material
- 3.Don't work the bed when plants are wet; the bacteria move easily on hands and tools
White or gray powdery coating on the undersides of leaves, sometimes with yellowing on the upper surface
Likely Causes
- Downy mildew (Peronospora phaseoli) — favors cool nights combined with warm, humid days
- Poor airflow from crowding plants inside the recommended 6-8 inch spacing
What to Do
- 1.Pull plants that are overcrowded to open up the canopy
- 2.Apply copper-based fungicide at first sign; repeat every 7-10 days during humid stretches
- 3.Bag and trash infected leaves — downy mildew spores are airborne and will cycle back quickly if left on the ground
Plants wilting and yellowing from the base up, roots brown or mushy when you pull one
Likely Causes
- Root rot (Rhizoctonia solani or Pythium spp.) — almost always triggered by overwatering or poorly draining soil
- Sowing into cold, wet soil before it reaches 60°F soil temperature
What to Do
- 1.Let the bed dry out between waterings — Henderson Bush Lima wants 1 to 1.5 inches per week, not more
- 2.Work compost into heavy clay before planting to improve drainage
- 3.Wait to direct sow until soil is consistently above 60°F; seeds sitting in cold wet ground will rot in place before the 7-14 day germination window ever opens
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Henderson Bush Lima beans take to grow?▼
Can you grow Henderson Bush Lima beans in containers?▼
When should I plant Henderson Bush Lima beans?▼
What do Henderson Bush Lima beans taste like?▼
Are Henderson Bush Lima beans good for beginners?▼
Henderson Bush Lima vs Fordhook Bush Lima - what's the difference?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.