How to Grow Florida Butter Bean
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Florida Butter Bean
Phaseolus lunatus
vegetableFlorida Butter is a popular lima bean variety that produces creamy, pale green beans prized for their tender texture and mild, buttery flavor. This warm-season annual grows as a compact bush plant, making it ideal for home gardens and small spaces. The beans are harvested at the immature stage for peak tenderness and flavor.
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Example Florida Butter Bean timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Florida Butter Bean
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Florida Butter Bean
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Florida Butter Bean dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10, with best performance in zones 7-9 where warm temperatures persist
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Seedling
7-10 daysCotyledons emerge and small true leaves develop. Plant is low and compact with pale green foliage.
Keep soil warm (65-70°F minimum) and moist. Thin seedlings to proper spacing. Protect from cold snaps and strong winds.
Vegetative
20-25 daysBush develops dense foliage with multiple stems. Plant grows to 12-18 inches tall with increasingly mature compound leaves.
Maintain consistent moisture. Apply thin layer of mulch around plants. Monitor for pest activity. Do not over-fertilize with nitrogen.
Flowering
10-14 daysSmall white or pale pink flowers appear in clusters along the stem nodes. Flowers are typically self-pollinating.
Continue regular watering without wetting flowers. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer which promotes foliage over flowers. Maintain air circulation.
Pod Development
15-20 daysFlowers fade as small green pods form and rapidly enlarge. Pods are flat, 3-4 inches long, with visible bean bulges inside.
Water at soil level to keep plants turgid and prevent pod splitting. Reduce frequency slightly if weather is very humid. Watch for pests feeding on young pods.
Harvest Ready
Continuous for 2-4 weeksPods reach full size with plump, pale green beans visible beneath the pod skin. Pods may show slight yellowing if left too long.
Harvest pods when fully plump but still tender and before shells harden. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. Handle plants gently to avoid breaking branches.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick adults and egg clusters. Use neem oil spray. Plant trap crops. Encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps.
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Use reflective mulch. Introduce ladybugs or lacewings. Strong water spray can dislodge small infestations.
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Maintain consistent watering to reduce stress. Spray undersides of leaves with water. Use miticide if severe. Avoid excessive heat stress.
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Row covers on young plants. Kaolin clay spray. Hand-pick beetles early morning. Remove crop debris promptly.
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Ensure good air circulation. Avoid wetting foliage. Spray with sulfur or potassium bicarbonate. Remove affected leaves promptly.
Uses
Fresh Butter Beans
CulinaryFlorida Butter beans are prized for fresh cooking, steaming, or sautéing. Their creamy texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor make them a Southern staple that pairs well with garlic, butter, and herbs. [source]
Dried Legume Storage
CulinaryMature, dried Florida Butter beans store for months and can be used in soups, stews, and cassoulet. When fully dried, they provide excellent protein and fiber for winter cooking. [source]
Plant-Based Protein
MedicinalLima beans are rich in plant-based protein, fiber, and minerals including manganese and copper. They support digestive health and provide sustained energy. [source]
Seed Saving
HouseholdFlorida Butter produces viable seeds that can be harvested, dried, and replanted the following season, allowing gardeners to maintain their own seed stock indefinitely. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe small white flowers of Florida Butter attract bees and other pollinators, providing valuable nectar sources during warm months. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest pods when they are plump and tender, typically 16-20 days after flowering. Pods should still be green and snap cleanly when bent. Pick every 2-3 days to encourage continuous production. Avoid harvesting in early morning when plants are wet. For shell beans, allow pods to mature fully and dry on the plant, then shell and store dry.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Florida Butter is sometimes called 'potato bean' because its creamy texture resembles mashed potatoes when cooked.
- 🌱 Lima beans were named after Lima, Peru, where they originated over 7,000 years ago before being brought to Africa, India, and later North America by Portuguese and Spanish traders.
- 🌱 Unlike most legumes, lima beans contain linamarin, which breaks down into cyanide compounds if eaten raw in large quantities, but cooking completely neutralizes this compound.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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