Henderson Lima Bush
Phaseolus lunatus 'Henderson Bush'
A compact, early-maturing lima bean that's been a garden favorite since 1888, perfect for short growing seasons and small spaces. These productive bushes yield tender, buttery baby lima beans that are much more palatable than large limas, with a creamy texture and mild flavor. An excellent choice for gardeners new to growing lima beans or those wanting a reliable, heat-tolerant variety.
Harvest
65-75d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
4–10
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Henderson Lima Bush in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 bean →Zone Map
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Henderson Lima Bush · Zones 4–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Complete Growing Guide
Henderson Lima Bush beans thrive in warm, well-prepared soil with excellent drainage. Start by selecting a site that receives 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily, as these beans need heat to develop their characteristic buttery flavor. Work compost into clay soils to improve drainage, but don't over-enrich—lima beans fix their own nitrogen and excessive fertility can reduce pod production.
Wait until soil temperatures consistently reach 65°F before direct sowing, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. Cold, wet soil will cause seeds to rot before germinating. Plant seeds 1-2 inches deep with the eye facing downward, spacing them 4-6 inches apart in rows 18-24 inches wide. For continuous harvests, make successive plantings every 2 weeks until 10 weeks before your first expected fall frost.
Unlike pole varieties, Henderson Lima Bush beans require no staking but benefit from gentle cultivation when plants are 4 inches tall to control weeds. Apply a 2-inch layer of organic mulch around plants once soil has warmed thoroughly—premature mulching can keep soil too cool. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings. Consistent moisture during flowering and pod development is crucial for good yields.
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which promote excessive foliage at the expense of pods. A balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer applied at planting is sufficient. These compact plants rarely exceed 18 inches in height and don't require support, making them ideal for container growing in pots at least 12 inches deep.
Common mistakes include planting too early in cold soil, overwatering established plants, and harvesting pods too late when beans become starchy. In zones 8-10, you can succession plant through early fall for winter harvests.
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 lima beans keep best when left in their pods until use. Store unshelled pods in the refrigerator for up to one week in a perforated plastic bag. Once shelled, fresh beans should be used within 2-3 days.
For freezing, blanch shelled beans in boiling water for 2 minutes, then immediately plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 8 months. Henderson limas freeze exceptionally well, retaining their creamy texture better than larger lima varieties.
To dry beans for long-term storage, allow pods to mature fully on the plant until they're papery brown. Shell the dried beans and store in airtight containers in a cool, dark place—properly dried Henderson limas will keep for 2-3 years. These small limas are perfect for succotash and winter soups, requiring only 45-60 minutes of cooking time compared to 90+ minutes for large lima varieties.
History & Origin
Origin: Tropics
Considerations
- -Toxic (Roots, Seeds): High severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Carrots
Improve soil structure and don't compete for nutrients, beans provide nitrogen carrots need
Corn
Provides natural support structure for beans, beans fix nitrogen for corn
Marigolds
Repel Mexican bean beetles, aphids, and other harmful insects
Summer Squash
Large leaves provide ground cover and moisture retention, part of Three Sisters planting
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repel bean beetles
Radishes
Break up soil for better root development, harvest before beans need space
Catnip
Repels flea beetles and ants that can damage bean plants
Rosemary
Deters Mexican bean beetles and carrot rust flies
Keep Apart
Onions
Can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions
Sunflowers
Allelopathic compounds inhibit bean germination and growth
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants including beans through allelopathy
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346400)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good heat tolerance, some resistance to downy mildew
Common Pests
Bean beetles, lima bean pod borer, stink bugs, aphids
Diseases
Downy mildew, bacterial blight, anthracnose, rust