Lima Bean belongs to the Phaseolus genus.

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A vigorous climbing tropical lima bean, which will last for many years in the ground. It is excellent at coping with wet, humid conditions. There is usually little pod production in the first year but it is prolific after that. It is tolerant of a wide variety of soil types.

Madagascar bean needs a sturdy trellis as it grows vigorously. This is an excellent hardy bean for warmer climates as it dies backs and re-shoots every year. The beans (not the pods) can be eaten fresh, while still white before any colour shows. They also dry well on the vine to a beautiful speckled red and white bean that can be stored for winter soups and casseroles.

The seeds are an attractive white with burgundy speckles. The shelled beans can be used fresh or dried in soups and stews. The dried beans can also be used to make tempeh. The sprouted seeds are used as a vegetable in Chinese cooking. The young pods are steamed and eaten. The young leaves can also be steamed and eaten but have a bitter flavour.

Source: Green Harvest

• Lifecycle The lifecycle that this plant exhibits. Annual/Perennial Category The basic category that this plant belongs to. Vegetable
• Hardiness How frost hardy this plant is. Tender Country of Origin Where this plant originated from.
• Mature Height How tall the plant will be when it grows up. 300.0 cm / 117.0" Mature Spread How wide the plant will be when it grows up. ?
• Bloom Time When this plant usually blooms. ? Harvest Time When this plant is usually harvested. ?

How to keep this plant happy

• USDA Zone Range The zones that this plant is recommended to grow best in. 6 - 14 pH Range The level of acidity that this plant thrives in. 6.6 - 7.5
• Water Requirements The amount of water that this plant likes to drink. High Nitrogen Requirements The amount of nitrogen that should be present in the soil. Low
• Soil The type of soil that this plant likes to live in.
  Loam Potting Mix
  Sun The type of light that this plant likes to sunbake in.
  Full Sun Partial Sun
• Min. Air Temperature The lowest air temp that this plant will be happy in. ? Max. Air Temperature The highest air temp that this plant will be happy in. ?

Sowing and Germinating Instructions

• Can Sow Direct? Can seeds be sown directly in situ? ? Sowing Depth Seeds should be sown at this depth. 2.0 cm / 0.78"
• Sowing Distance Apart This plant should be sown at least this distance apart 60.0 cm / 23.4" Sowing Row Distance Apart This plant should be sown in rows at least this distance apart ?
• Min. Germination Temperature The lowest temp that this plant will germinate from seed. 10°C / 50°F Max. Germination Temperature The highest temp that this plant will germinate from seed. 35°C / 95°F

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Planting Out / Transplanting Instructions

• Planting Distance Apart Seedlings should be planted this far apart. ? Planting Row Distance Apart Rows between plantings should be at least this far apart. ?

How long does it approximately take to grow?

• Days to Germination From seed to seedling 5 days Average 5 days | Min days | Max days (0)
• Days to Transplant From seedling to transplant / planting out + days
• Days to Maturity From transplant to harvest / maturity of plant + 110 days Total Growing Days From seed to maturity = days

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When should I start sowing and growing?

• When to sow The number of days to sow before or after your last frost date. ? When to plant out The number of days to plant out before or after your last frost date. ?

Etymology

Folklore

Other Names

Butter Bean, Madagascar Bean, Haba bean, Pallar Bean, Burma Bean, Guffin Bean, Hibbert Bean, Java Bean, Sieva Bean, Rangood Bean, Madagascar Bean, Paiga, Paigya, Prolific Bean, Civet Bean, Sugar Bean, Tropical Lima Bean

Phaseolus limensis