Lima Bean in Zone 8a & 8b

Phaseolus lunatus

When to plant lima bean in zone 8b

Zones 8a and 8b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.

Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Lima Bean doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.

Start indoorsNot typically started indoors
Direct sow / transplant outsideApr 15–Apr 22
Estimated harvestJun 29–Jul 6 (~75 days after direct-sowing)

Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.

Lima Bean
Photo: Andymt1994 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped.

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 8's season

Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Lima Bean needs about 75 days from sowing to first harvest.

Good companions

No standout companions recorded yet for Lima Bean.

Where to buy lima bean seeds

See why we recommend these suppliers →

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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 8b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

Growing Lima Bean in USDA zone 8b

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Growing Lima Bean in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.

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