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How to Grow King of the Garden Lima Bean

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King of the Garden Lima Bean

Phaseolus lunatus

vegetable

King of the Garden is a classic pole lima bean variety prized for its large, buttery beans and vigorous climbing vines. This heirloom cultivar produces abundant yields of 4-5 inch pods containing 4-5 large seeds per pod. It's a warm-season crop that requires support and thrives in full sun.

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Example King of the Garden Lima Bean timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant King of the Garden Lima Bean

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest King of the Garden Lima Bean

    Around Jun 26

    ≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact King of the Garden Lima Bean dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum
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Water: Moderate and consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 inches per week. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal disease. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged, especially during flowering and pod development.
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Spacing: 6 inches
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Days to maturity: 70-80 days
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Planting depth: 1-1.5 inches

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost Aged manure Phosphorus-rich fertilizer at planting

Growing Zones

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Zones 5-9; can be grown in zone 4 with warm soil and extended season

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Cotyledons emerge and unfurl into first true leaves. Vines begin to grow but remain compact and manageable.

Ensure consistent soil moisture and warm soil (65°F+). Provide sturdy support structure early so vines can begin climbing. Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart if direct seeded.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Vigorous vine growth with healthy foliage climbing up supports. Plant develops strong root system and leaf canopy before flowering begins.

Gently guide vines toward the trellis without forcing. Side-dress with compost mid-season if growth slows. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer as it promotes foliage over flowers. Check ties or twine regularly to prevent damage.

3

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Small white or pale purple flowers appear in clusters along the vines. Flowers attract pollinators and indicate pod set is imminent.

Maintain consistent watering during this critical stage; moisture stress can cause flower drop. Avoid disturbing vines unnecessarily. Don't fertilize heavily as this can inhibit flowering.

4

Pod Development

2-3 weeks

Flowers fade and pods begin forming. Pods elongate to 4-5 inches, containing developing beans inside. Vines may become heavy with pods.

Water consistently and deeply; pod fill requires adequate moisture. Support vines well to prevent breaking from pod weight. Begin monitoring for pests. Do not overhead water to reduce fungal issues.

5

Maturity & Harvest

3-4 weeks for green harvest; 6-8 weeks for full dry maturity

Pods reach full size (4-5 inches) and beans inside are plump and full. Pods transition from green to yellowing if left on vine for dry beans.

Begin harvesting when pods are full-sized but still tender and green for fresh eating. For dry beans, allow pods to mature fully on the vine until brown and papery. Pick regularly to encourage continued production.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Corn Squash Cucumber Melon Pumpkin Radish Carrot Marigold Nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Kohlrabi Onion Garlic Leek Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale)

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick adults and egg clusters. Use row covers on young plants. Neem oil or spinosad for heavy infestations. Rotate crops annually.

  • Increase humidity with consistent watering. Spray leaves with water to dislodge. Use neem oil or miticide if severe. Avoid excessive heat stress.

  • Spray with water jet to remove. Encourage natural predators. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer.

  • Plant resistant varieties when available. Water at soil level only. Remove infected leaves. Space plants well for air circulation. Avoid overhead watering.

  • Ensure good air circulation with proper spacing. Apply sulfur dust or neem oil at first sign. Avoid watering foliage. Remove affected leaves.

Uses

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Fresh & Dried Cooking

Culinary

King of the Garden lima beans are prized for their large, buttery, mild flavor when cooked fresh or dried. Use fresh beans in succotash, salads, and side dishes, or cook dried beans in soups, stews, and casseroles. [source]

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Winter Storage & Preservation

Household

Dried King of the Garden beans store exceptionally well for months in cool, dry conditions, making them valuable for food security and pantry staples. They can be canned, frozen fresh, or dried for long-term storage. [source]

💊

Nutritional & Health Benefits

Medicinal

Lima beans are rich in plant-based protein, fiber, folate, and manganese, supporting digestive health and sustained energy. They contain resistant starch when cooked and cooled, which may support gut microbiome health. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

The delicate flowers of lima beans attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators throughout the growing season, supporting garden ecosystem health. [source]

🎨

Heirloom Seed Saving

Craft

King of the Garden is an excellent variety for home seed saving and heirloom preservation. Allow plants to mature, harvest dry pods, shell beans, and store seeds for replanting year after year. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

For fresh beans: Harvest pods when 4-5 inches long and still tender, typically 70-80 days from planting. Pick in the morning for best quality. Snap pods open by hand to extract beans, or pop beans out with thumb. Harvest regularly (every 2-3 days) to encourage continued flowering and production. For dried beans: Allow pods to remain on vine until completely brown and dry, then shell and store in cool, dry conditions.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 King of the Garden is an heirloom variety that dates back to the 1800s and remains one of the most popular pole lima bean cultivars among home gardeners due to its reliable production and large bean size.
  • 🌱 Lima beans are unique among legumes in that they contain linamarin, a compound that breaks down to cyanide when consumed raw in large quantities; proper cooking completely eliminates this concern.
  • 🌱 A single King of the Garden plant can produce 50-100+ pods over the season if harvested consistently and conditions remain favorable, making it one of the highest-yielding bean varieties.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Compost Cultivar Full Sun Heirloom Trellis True Leaves
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