Christmas Lima Pole Bean
Best heirloom choice for gardeners in warm, sunny climates.
Discover the historic Christmas Lima Pole Bean, an heirloom variety dating back to the mid-1800s. This heat-tolerant pole bean thrives in warmer conditions, growing up to 10 feet tall and producing abundant 5-6 inch pods. Inside, you'll find quarter-sized beans with a distinctive maroon and cream marbling that beautifully persists after cooking. Enjoy their excellent flavor and wonderfully buttery texture, making them a rewarding choice for any gardener seeking a productive and visually appealing crop. Optimal germination requires soil temperatures above 75ºF.
$4.05
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
270
/ 5876
#270 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-62%
Below average
Days to Maturity
8595
/ - days
Who it's for
- Homesteaders building a reliable supply of versatile, shelf-stable pantry staples
- Gourmet cooks seeking visually stunning and flavorful heirloom ingredients
- Urban gardeners maximizing limited space with vertical growing methods
Who should skip it
- Busy harvesters looking for quick, hands-off crop processing
- Gardeners wanting a low-maintenance, no-trellis planting experience
- Northern growers with short, cool summer growing seasons
Performance breakdown
Heat Tolerance
Thrives in sweltering summer conditions where other varieties often struggle.
Culinary Versatility
Buttery texture and striking appearance shine in both fresh and dried applications.
Vertical Productivity
Vigorous ten-foot vines maximize yield in smaller garden footprints.
Germination Sensitivity
Requires consistently warm soil to ensure successful sprouting and establishment.
Heirloom Appeal
Historic mid-1800s genetics offer a unique connection to gardening heritage.
Space Requirements
Extensive vertical growth makes this unsuitable for small containers or balconies.
Key Specs
Days to Maturity
85-95 days
Botanical Name
Phaseolus lunatus
Seed Sowing Depth
1 inch deep
Germination Time
4-10 days
Optimal Germination Temperature
75-85ºF
Plant Habit
Pole (can grow to 10 feet)
Plant Height
120 inches
Water Needs
Moderate
Features
- Produces exceptionally large lima beans.
- Unique colorful marbling on dried beans.
- Excellent flavor with a buttery texture.
- Heat-tolerant for warmer climates.
- Vigorous pole growth up to 10 feet.
- Reliable producer of numerous pods.
- Heirloom variety with historic charm.
- Suitable for green-shelled or dried use.
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality and reliability of these Christmas Lima Pole Beans. Reviewers frequently highlight the impressive germination rates, noting that nearly every seed successfully produced a vigorous, healthy vine. The resulting harvest is celebrated for its large, beautiful, speckled beans and rich, buttery flavor, making them a reliable staple for home gardeners seeking superior taste and consistent yield. This strong performance confirms the excellent value provided by Pinetree Garden Seeds.
Know before you buy
Christmas Lima Pole Beans are vigorous climbers that can reach heights of up to 10 feet. Because of this, you will need a sturdy trellis, fence, or pole system to support their growth throughout the season.
No, these beans are not suitable for containers. Due to their 10-foot height and extensive root system, they require being planted directly in the ground to thrive.
This variety is heat-tolerant and requires soil temperatures between 75ºF and 85ºF for successful germination. Planting them too early in cold, damp soil will likely cause the seeds to rot before they can sprout.
You can harvest them as green-shelled beans when the pods are plump, or leave them on the vine to dry for later use. They are prized for their buttery texture and unique maroon and cream marbling, which remains visible even after cooking.
You can expect to harvest your first pods in approximately 85 to 95 days after sowing. Ensure they are planted in a location that receives full sun to support this growth cycle.
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