1# CHRISTMAS POLE LIMA BEAN

Christmas Pole Lima Bean is a beautiful and productive heirloom lima bean known for its striking coloration and rich flavor.

🫘 Key features

• Type: Pole lima bean (climbing vine)

• Height: Vines can grow 10–12 feet long

• Bean appearance:

  • Cream-colored with maroon/red streaks

  • Very decorative (hence the name “Christmas”)

• Pod size: Medium to large

• Flavor: Rich, nutty, and buttery

🌱 Why gardeners love it

• Unique, eye-catching beans

• Excellent flavor compared to many limas

• Produces high yields over a long season

• Great for dry storage beans

• Heirloom variety with strong performance

🌿 Growing basics

• Sun: Full sun

• Planting time: After last frost when soil is warm (65°F+)

• Support: Requires a trellis, fence, or poles

• Spacing:

  • 4–6 inches apart at the base of supports

• Soil: Well-drained, moderate fertility

• Water: Consistent moisture, especially during flowering

⏱ Growth timeline

• Germination: ~7–14 days

• Harvest: about 85–100 days

• Longer season than bush types like Henderson

👍 Uses

• Dry beans: Most common use (stores very well)

• Fresh shell beans: Pick before fully mature

• Cooking: Soups, stews, baked dishes

⚠️ Tips for success

• Provide strong support early — vines grow fast

• Harvest regularly to keep plants producing

• Allow pods to dry on the plant for storage beans

• Needs a bit more time and space than bush varieties