Lima King of the Garden Pole
Phaseolus lunatus 'King of the Garden'
An impressive pole lima bean that produces the largest, most flavorful lima beans you can grow in a home garden. This vigorous climbing variety yields enormous pods packed with 4-5 buttery, sweet beans that are considered the gold standard for fresh or dried lima bean cuisine.
Harvest
85-95d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
4–10
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Moderate
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Lima King of the Garden Pole in USDA Zone 7
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Lima King of the Garden Pole · Zones 4–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | June – July | October – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 6 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 7 | — | — | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 8 | — | — | April – May | August – September |
| Zone 9 | — | — | March – April | July – August |
| Zone 10 | — | — | February – April | June – August |
Complete Growing Guide
Start your Lima King of the Garden Pole beans by preparing a sunny location with sturdy support structures — these vigorous climbers will reach 8-10 feet tall and produce heavy pods that require robust 8-foot poles or a strong trellis system. Install your supports before planting to avoid root disturbance later.
Amend your soil with 2-3 inches of compost or well-aged manure, as lima beans are heavy feeders that demand rich, fertile soil. Unlike other beans, limas prefer slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0, so test and adjust with lime if needed. Ensure excellent drainage — lima beans are particularly susceptible to root rot in waterlogged conditions.
Wait to direct sow until soil temperature consistently reaches 65°F and nighttime temperatures stay above 55°F. Lima beans are extremely frost-sensitive and won't germinate in cool soil. Plant seeds 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart at the base of each pole. Soak seeds overnight in lukewarm water to improve germination rates, which can be spotty with lima beans.
Skip the pre-plant nitrogen fertilizer since lima beans fix their own nitrogen. Instead, side-dress with compost or a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) when plants begin flowering, around week 6-8. Apply a second feeding when pods start forming to support the energy-intensive process of filling those large beans.
Train young vines onto supports when they reach 6 inches tall, gently wrapping them counterclockwise around poles. Lima beans climb more slowly than snap beans, so provide guidance during the first few weeks. Mulch heavily around the base to maintain consistent soil moisture — erratic watering causes pod drop and poor bean development.
Avoid overhead watering once flowering begins, as lima beans are prone to fungal diseases. Use soaker hoses or water at soil level early in the morning. Common mistakes include planting too early (cold soil kills seeds), inadequate support structures (poles break under the weight), and inconsistent watering during pod fill (causes flat, poorly developed beans).
For maximum yields, harvest pods regularly once they reach maturity. The plant will continue producing until frost, often yielding 2-3 pounds per pole in optimal conditions.
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 lima beans keep best when shelled immediately and stored in the refrigerator in perforated bags for up to one week. For longer storage, blanch shelled beans in boiling water for 2 minutes, shock in ice water, drain thoroughly, and freeze in portions. They'll maintain quality for 8-12 months frozen.
To dry lima beans for storage, leave pods on the plant until completely dry and tan-colored. Shell beans and spread on screens in a well-ventilated area for final drying until beans are hard. Store dried beans in airtight containers in a cool, dark place — properly dried Lima King beans will keep for 2-3 years. These large limas are also excellent for canning using pressure-canning methods, maintaining their buttery texture better than smaller varieties.
History & Origin
Origin: Tropics
Considerations
- -Toxic (Roots, Seeds): High severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Corn
Provides natural pole support for climbing beans, classic three sisters companion
Marigolds
Repel bean beetles and nematodes, reduce pest damage
Carrots
Beans fix nitrogen in soil that carrots utilize, carrots don't compete for space
Radishes
Break up soil for bean roots, mature quickly before beans need full space
Nasturtiums
Attract beneficial insects and act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Summer Savory
Repels bean beetles and may improve bean flavor and growth
Lettuce
Benefits from bean's nitrogen fixation and shade, efficient use of garden space
Catnip
Repels flea beetles and ants that can damage bean plants
Keep Apart
Onions
Can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root compounds
Sunflowers
Allelopathic compounds inhibit bean germination and growth
Garlic
Sulfur compounds can stunt bean growth and interfere with nitrogen fixation
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346400)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate resistance to downy mildew
Common Pests
Lima bean pod borer, Mexican bean beetle, aphids
Diseases
Downy mildew, bacterial blight, pod rot