Lima Bean in Zone 5a & 5b
Phaseolus lunatus
Yes, lima bean grows in zones 5a and 5b. Plant it outside May 31–Jun 7.
When to plant lima bean in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 31–Jun 7 |
| Estimated harvest | Aug 14–Aug 21 (~75 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of lima bean in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoMay 24–May 31
- Bush BeansMay 17–May 24
- CucumberMay 17–May 24
- ZucchiniMay 17–May 24
- Winter SquashMay 17–May 24
- Ground Cherry (Husk Cherry)May 31–Jun 7
Lima beans are a heat-loving relative of the common bush bean, grown for their plump, buttery shell beans rather than a snap pod eaten pod and all.
How lima bean fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Lima bean needs about 75 days from sowing to first harvest.
Lima Bean planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | Jun 5–Jun 12 | Aug 19–Aug 26 |
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | Not usually | May 31–Jun 7 | Aug 14–Aug 21 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | May 16–May 23 | Jul 30–Aug 6 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | May 1–May 8 | Jul 15–Jul 22 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Apr 15–Apr 22 | Jun 29–Jul 6 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Mar 8–Mar 15 | May 22–May 29 |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Feb 20–Feb 27 | May 6–May 13 |
| 11a & 11bFall window | Not usually | Sep–Apr | ~75 days after direct-sowing |
Harvest dates are about 75 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
- Sweet Corn: The same three-sisters mechanism as bush beans: a pole lima climbs the stalk and fixes nitrogen corn uses. WSU Extension's review confirmed the mechanism for common beans specifically, not lima, but both are nitrogen-fixing Phaseolus climbers, so the extrapolation is a reasonable one, not a tested one.
Where to buy lima bean seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's lima bean seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- 'Fordhook 242' lima bean (best for reliable standard): Johnny's Selected Seeds lists this as the lima bean standard and an All-America Selections winner more than 60 years ago, the named cultivar to reach for if you want a track record rather than the unnamed species. Buy: Burpee Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing lima bean" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Lima Bean in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest