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Beans · Phaseolus lunatus 'Henderson Bush'

Henderson Lima Bush

Henderson Lima Bush: 65-75 days to harvest, 7-12 days to germinate, 6-8 inches between plants, pH 6.0-6.8, hardy in zones 4-10. Fruit runs to about 3-4 inch pods, small beans. Give it full sun (6-8 hours) and 1-1.5 inches per week, avoid overhead watering water. It will crop in a container.

Beans
65-75days to harvest
7-12days to germinate
Z4–10USDA zones
Easydifficulty
HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow 2-3 weeks after last frost when soil is warm (65°F+). Plant seeds 1-2 inches deep, eye down.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun (6-8 hours)
Water
1-1.5 inches per week, avoid overhead watering
Soil
Well-drained sandy loam, tolerates poor soils
Soil pH
6.0-6.8
Spacing
6-8 inches
Season
Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Light green pods, cream-colored beans
Size
3-4 inch pods, small beans
Shape
Flat, curved pods with 2-4 small flat beans
Flavour
Mild, buttery, creamy texture when cooked

In the kitchen

Fresh shelling, succotash, soups, stews, freezing. Can be dried for winter storage.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Bean beetles, lima bean pod borer, stink bugs, aphids
Diseases
Downy mildew, bacterial blight, anthracnose, rust
Resistance
Good heat tolerance, some resistance to downy mildew

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
2——June – AugustSeptember
3——June – JulySeptember – October
4——June – JulySeptember – October
5——May – JuneAugust – October
6——May – JuneAugust – September
7——April – JuneJuly – September
8——April – MayJuly – August
9——March – AprilJune – July
10——February – AprilMay – July
11——January – MarchApril – June
12——January – MarchApril – June
13——January – MarchApril – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

CarrotsImprove soil structure and don't compete for nutrients, beans provide nitrogen carrots need
CornProvides natural support structure for beans, beans fix nitrogen for corn
MarigoldsRepel Mexican bean beetles, aphids, and other harmful insects
Summer SquashLarge leaves provide ground cover and moisture retention, part of Three Sisters planting
NasturtiumsAct as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repel bean beetles
RadishesBreak up soil for better root development, harvest before beans need space
CatnipRepels flea beetles and ants that can damage bean plants
RosemaryDeters Mexican bean beetles and carrot rust flies

Avoid

OnionsCan inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions
SunflowersAllelopathic compounds inhibit bean germination and growth
FennelInhibits growth of most garden plants including beans through allelopathy

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Protein (g)
1.97
Fat (g)
0.275
Carbohydrate (g)
7.41
Fibre (g)
3.01
Vitamin K (µg)
43.9
Vitamin B6 (mg)
0.121
Calcium (mg)
40
Iron (mg)
0.652
Magnesium (mg)
28.2
Phosphorus (mg)
41.2
Potassium (mg)
290
Zinc (mg)
0.35
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Where to buy seed and equipment

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Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the beans growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

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