How to Grow Lima (Butter) Beans in Australia
A warm-season fruiting crop for the home garden
Growing Lima (Butter) Beans at home is well within reach for most Australian gardeners, and this guide walks you through every step. They are rated intermediate to grow. Saves on tinned/dried butter beans and crops over a long season.
This guide covers when to plant Lima (Butter) Beans in your region, the position and soil they like, how to sow and space them, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Lima (Butter) Beans are a warm-season crop, frost-tender and needs a frost-free run. In subtropical South-East Queensland they are sown in September, October, November, December and January. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Fordhook (Bush)
Classic bush butter bean with broad flat seeds. Reliable and compact.
Try: Green Harvest, Eden Seeds
Climbing Butter Bean
Tall pole type that crops over a long warm season; needs a strong trellis.
Try: Eden Seeds, Green Harvest
Position and Soil
Give Lima (Butter) Beans full sun (at least 6 hours a day). They do best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. They grow happily in a pot of 40cm+ with support, which makes them a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 3 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 20 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 10 days, fastest when the soil is between 18 and 30 degrees.
A warm-season bean grown for big, buttery seeds. Both bush and climbing (pole) types exist; pole types crop longer but need a sturdy trellis. It loves heat and humidity, so it shines in warm Australian gardens where it sets pods better than common beans through mid-summer. Sow after frost into warm soil and shell the mature pods. Always cook the beans, never eat them raw.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 5 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Aphids and Bean fly. The main diseases to watch are Powdery mildew and Rust. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Lima (Butter) Beans are typically ready to harvest in around 90 days (about 3 months). Fresh shelled beans 3-4 days in the fridge; dried beans a year or more.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, lima (butter) beans are good cooked as a buttery side, added to soups and stews, succotash with corn and dried for the winter pantry. Nutritionally: high in protein and fibre and good source of iron and potassium.
Companion Planting
Lima (Butter) Beans grow well alongside Corn, Cucumber and Sunflower. Keep them away from Onion and Garlic. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Lima (Butter) Beans Growing
Add lima (butter) beans to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lima (Butter) Beans in Australia?
Lima (Butter) Beans are a warm-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland they are sown in September, October, November, December and January. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Lima (Butter) Beans take to grow?
Lima (Butter) Beans are generally ready to harvest in around 90 days (about 3 months).
Can I grow Lima (Butter) Beans in a pot?
Yes. Lima (Butter) Beans grow well in a container of 40cm+ with support with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Lima (Butter) Beans need?
Give they full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Lima (Butter) Beans in the Plant Library
