Phaseolus lunatus
Family: Leguminosae

Although a perennial, this bean is grown as an annual. However, it is not as widely grown as scarlet runner and snap or French beans. It comes in both dwarf and climbing types, the earlier maturing dwarfs being the most reliable. Because the climbers grow slowly, the beans ripen late and are often killed by frost. Lima beans contain more fat than other beans. There are numerous varieties of Lima bean (also known as butter bean).

Cultivation

These plants like long warm periods and very mild weather at flowering time. If grown in other climates, they will usually not produce maximum quality and yield.

Climate

The Lima bean is frost-tender so grow as a summer annual.