Alabama Black Eye Pole Lima Bean
Best heat-tolerant heirloom for gardeners in warmer climates.
Discover the Alabama Black Eye Pole Lima Bean, a classic Heirloom variety from Alabama. This pole bean boasts a vigorously climbing vine that is exceptionally productive and thrives in heat. It yields small white beans with distinctive black eyes, often called butterbeans. Enjoy them fresh or dried. For optimal growth, ensure warm soil temperatures (75-85ºF) and plant after the last frost. This variety is well-suited for warmer climates and provides a generous harvest for your garden.
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-71%
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Botanical Name
Phaseolus lunatus
/ Phaseolus lunatus
Who it's for
- Urban gardeners maximizing limited vertical growing space
- Home cooks prioritizing rich flavor and smooth texture
- Southern growers needing heat-tolerant, reliable crop varieties
Who should skip it
- Busy cooks preferring quick, minimal-prep harvest processing
- Gardeners wanting low-maintenance, non-trellised planting setups
- Short-season growers needing fast-maturing vegetable varieties
Performance breakdown
Heat Tolerance
Thrives in sweltering conditions where other bean varieties often struggle.
Yield Potential
Vigorous climbing vines produce a heavy, consistent harvest throughout the season.
Culinary Versatility
Equally delicious whether harvested fresh or dried for long-term storage.
Germination Sensitivity
Requires specific soil warmth to ensure successful sprouting and early growth.
Heirloom Authenticity
A classic, time-tested variety that preserves traditional gardening heritage.
Growth Habit
Strong pole-climbing structure maximizes vertical space in smaller garden plots.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Phaseolus lunatus
Days to Maturity
90-100 Days
Seed Count
30 seeds per packet
Sowing Depth
1 inch deep
Germination Time
4-10 days
Optimal Soil Temperature for Germination
75-85ºF
Planting Season
Spring
Seed Form
Loose Seeds
Features
- Vigorously climbing pole bean vine
- Highly productive and heat tolerant
- Distinctive black-eyed beans
- Versatile for fresh or dried use
- Heirloom variety
- Requires warm soil for germination
- Suitable for warmer climates
What customers say
Gardeners consistently highlight the exceptional quality and reliability of the Alabama Black Eye Pole Lima Bean. Reviews frequently praise the high germination rates and the vigorous, easy growth of the vines, confirming this variety is highly dependable. Customers appreciate the abundant yield and superior flavor, suggesting excellent value for money. This seed offers a trustworthy experience for both new and seasoned growers seeking a robust lima bean.
Know before you buy
Yes, because this is a pole bean variety with a vigorously climbing vine, it requires a trellis, fence, or poles to support its growth. Providing vertical support will keep the vines off the ground and make harvesting much easier.
It is best to wait until the soil has warmed up to at least 75-85ºF. Since these beans are heat-loving, planting them too early in cold soil will likely lead to poor germination.
These beans take 90 to 100 days to reach maturity. You can harvest them when the pods are plump and firm for fresh eating, or leave them on the vine until the pods dry out if you intend to store them as dried beans.
While they are primarily garden-grown, you can grow them in large containers if you provide a sturdy, tall trellis. Ensure the container is deep enough for the root system and placed in a location that receives full sun.
Each packet contains 30 seeds, which is enough to get a productive vertical row started in your garden.
Unlike bush varieties that grow in a compact mound, this pole variety grows as a climbing vine. This makes it more space-efficient for small gardens and generally results in a longer, more productive harvest window.
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