Lima beans are the heat-loving bean that keeps producing when other beans give up — buttery, shelled beans from a vine that loves tropical warmth. This guide answers "when to plant lima beans zone 11" directly: when to sow, how to start it, what soil and spacing it needs, how to water and feed it, which neighbours help, which pests to watch, and when to harvest. Zone 11 is frost-free, with average winter lows of 40 to 50°F, so there is no last or first frost date to plan around — here you plant by heat and by the wet and dry seasons, not by frost. See the full planting calendar for the whole year, and check your local extension service for advice specific to your area.
Lima Beans at a glance in Zone 11
All figures below are broad published ranges from standard horticultural references, not exact figures for any variety or garden — they vary by variety, climate and soil. Use them to compare crops and to plan, not as promises.
| Detail | Lima Beans |
|---|---|
| Days to germinate | 7–14 |
| Days to maturity | 60–90 |
| Spacing (inches) | 4–6 |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Sun | full sun |
| Sowing method | direct sow |
| Cold tolerance | tender |
| Water needs | moderate |
When to plant lima beans in Zone 11
Sow lima beans in the warm season, when the soil is thoroughly warm — they are more heat-loving than green beans and will not germinate in cool soil. With a published maturity range of 60–90 days, limas need a long, hot season, which Zone 11 provides in abundance. Sow as the cool season ends and the warm season begins, and sow in succession if you want a long harvest. Because the zone is frost-free, with winter lows of 40 to 50°F, there is no frost date to plan around — sow by soil warmth instead, and check your local extension service for the best window in your area. In the wettest months, fungal disease increases, so good air flow and a sunny site matter. Our May in Zone 11 guide shows what else to sow and harvest that month in Zone 11.
Starting lima beans
Sow lima bean seed directly in the bed; beans dislike transplanting, and the published germination range is 7–14 days. Sow seed about an inch deep in warm, moist soil — seed sown in cold or wet soil rots before it germinates. Space plants as shown in the table below, and give pole varieties a strong trellis or poles to climb; bush varieties need no support but still appreciate room. Do not soak bean seed before sowing in humid conditions, since it can rot. Use the seed spacing calculator to work out how many plants fit your bed.
Soil, spacing and sun
Lima beans want light, fertile, well-drained soil with a soil pH of 6.0–7.0. Fork in compost before sowing, but go easy on nitrogen fertiliser — beans fix their own nitrogen from the air, and extra nitrogen grows leaves instead of pods. Sandy tropical soils suit limas well, since they drain freely and warm quickly. A light mulch after seedlings are up keeps the soil moist and suppresses weeds. Avoid fresh manure, which can burn young roots. Rotate beans to fresh ground each year and follow them with a hungry crop, since they leave nitrogen in the soil.
Watering and feeding
Lima beans need moderate, steady water — especially while flowers are setting and pods are filling. Water at the base in the morning, keeping the leaves dry to reduce fungal disease in humid air. Mulch to hold moisture between waterings. In the dry season, water deeply a few times a week; in the wet season, ease off and make sure beds drain, since beans rot in waterlogged soil. Once pods begin to fill, do not let the plants dry out, or the beans inside will be small and tough. A light feed of compost tea is plenty — skip high-nitrogen fertiliser.
Companion planting
Good companions for lima beans are marigolds, basil, onions and lettuce. Beans are famously good companions themselves: they fix nitrogen that helps neighbouring crops such as corn and squash — the classic Three Sisters planting. Marigolds at the bed edge deter soil pests, and basil attracts pollinators. Avoid planting lima beans next to onions, garlic or other alliums, which stunt bean growth, and do not follow beans with another legume in the same bed — rotate to a leafy green or root crop to use the nitrogen the beans leave behind. For a cooler-climate comparison, see how the same crop is timed in Zone 9.
Pests and problems
Watch for aphids, bean beetles, slugs and cutworms. Aphids cluster on young shoots and flowers; wash them off with water and encourage ladybirds. Bean beetles chew leaves and pods — pick them off by hand and remove badly damaged leaves. Slugs attack young seedlings at night in humid weather; check at dusk and keep the bed tidy. Cutworms can fell seedlings at soil level; cardboard collars help in the first weeks. In the wet season, fungal disease is the bigger threat — space plants for air flow and water at the base.
Harvest and storage
Pick lima beans when the pods are plump and the beans inside are full-sized but still tender, usually within the published maturity range of 60–90 days from sowing. For fresh shelling beans, pick while the pods are still green and the beans are soft; for dry beans, leave the pods on the vine until they are dry and papery. Shell fresh beans the same day and cook them promptly — lima beans should always be cooked thoroughly and never eaten raw. For dry beans, shell them out and store in a sealed jar in a cool, dry place, where they keep for months. If you are planning the rest of the bed, our guide to Edamame in Zone 11 covers another crop from the same Zone 11 season.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant lima beans in Zone 11?
In the warm season, when the soil is thoroughly warm. Limas love heat and will not germinate in cool soil — sow as the cool season ends. Check your local extension service for local timing.
Why did my lima bean seed rot?
Seed sown in cold or waterlogged soil rots before it germinates. Wait for warm soil, sow in well-drained ground, and do not soak seed before sowing in humid conditions.
Should I grow pole or bush lima beans?
Pole varieties give a bigger harvest from a small footprint but need a strong trellis; bush varieties are easier and finish sooner. In a small Zone 11 garden, pole limas on a trellis use space best.
Can I eat lima beans raw?
No — lima beans must always be cooked thoroughly. Shell fresh beans and boil them until tender; never eat them raw.