A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Lima and Butter Bean Cultivars for Your Garden

When it comes to choosing the perfect lima bean variety for your garden, it can be overwhelming to decide among the plethora of options available. With casual nicknames and broad descriptors, navigating the world of Phaseolus lunatus, also known as butter beans, can be a challenge. But fear not, as I am here to guide you through 13 of the best lima and butter beans that home gardeners can cultivate with ease.

So let’s dive into a world of tender, tasty possibilities, from bush varieties ideal for short-season gardeners to mighty pole beans that yield giant seeds. Each cultivar has its own unique characteristics and flavors, making it simple to find the perfect fit for your garden. Let’s explore the top picks together:

13 of the Best Lima and Butter Beans to Grow at Home

Table of Contents

Baby Fordhook
- Description: A bush variety with delicate flavor.
- Maturity: 70 to 75 days.
- Seed Source: Isla’s Garden Seeds via Amazon.
Big Mama
- Description: Pole variety with extra-large butter beans.
- Maturity: 80 days.
- Seed Source: Burpee.
Burpee Improved
- Description: Bush variety with thick pods.
- Maturity: 75 days.
- Seed Source: Eden Brothers.
Christmas
- Description: Buff-colored seeds with chestnut flavor.
- Maturity: 1840s heirloom.
- Seed Source: Amazon.
Dixie Speckled Butterpea
- Description: Prolific bush variety with dark red seeds.
- Maturity: 76 days.
- Seed Source: Amazon.
Early Thorogreen
- Description: Short-season bush variety.
- Maturity: 69 days.
- Seed Source: True Leaf Market.
Florida Speckled
- Description: Pole variety with maroon splashes.
- Maturity: 95 days.
- Seed Source: Bean Seeds via Amazon.
Fordhook 242
- Description: Large-seed lima variety.
- Maturity: 75 days.
- Seed Source: True Leaf Market.
Henderson
- Description: America’s favorite baby lima.
- Maturity: 60 to 70 days.
- Seed Source: Eden Brothers.
Jackson Wonder
- Description: Heat-tolerant bush variety.
- Maturity: 68 days.
- Seed Source: True Leaf Market.
King of the Garden
- Description: High-yielding pole variety.
- Maturity: 88 days.
- Seed Source: True Leaf Market.
Wick’s
- Description: Heirloom semi-pole variety with colorful beans.
- Maturity: 80 to 90 days.
Willow Leaf
- Description: Unique pole variety with cream-colored beans.

With such a diverse array of options, it’s easier than ever to indulge in the joy of growing lima and butter beans in your own garden. The flavors, textures, and colors of these cultivars will transform your culinary experience and make gardening a truly rewarding endeavor.

Looking for Lima Beans in All the Right Places

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener looking for something new or a beginner eager to explore the world of lima and butter beans, this comprehensive guide has something for everyone. The next time you plan your garden, consider adding these top cultivars to your list and watch your harvest flourish.

If you have a favorite variety that I’ve missed or want to share your gardening experiences, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below. And for more information on growing legumes and enhancing your gardening skills, be sure to check out these helpful bean guides: