legume · direct sow
Lima Bean (Bush): how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating lima bean (bush) a few times a week needs about 45 plants in ~30 sq ft, worth about $68 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$3.00/lb retail, an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 12 | ~8 sq ft | ~23 | ~$18 |
| 2 people | 23 | ~16 sq ft | ~44 | ~$35 |
| 4 people | 45 | ~30 sq ft | ~85 | ~$68 |
| 6 people | 67 | ~45 sq ft | ~126 | ~$101 |
Spacing
4" in row · 24" between rows
Sow depth
1"
Days to harvest
65 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 22 – Jun 24 | — |
| Zone 4 | May 17 – Jul 4 | — |
| Zone 5 | May 7 – Jun 29 | Jul 7 – Jul 14 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 27 – Jun 19 | Jul 17 – Jul 24 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 12 – Jun 4 | Jul 27 – Aug 3 |
| Zone 8 | Apr 1 – May 24 | Aug 17 – Aug 24 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 27 – Apr 21 | Sep 6 – Sep 13 |
| Zone 10 | Feb 7 – Apr 1 | Sep 16 – Sep 23 |
Know when it's time to plant
Give us your ZIP and we'll email you a planting checklist for your exact frost dates, this month's list right now, then once a month when sow windows open.
One email a month, only when there's something to plant. Unsubscribe anytime.
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Ready to pick when
Pods plump and bright green with seeds clearly outlined. Shell a test pod: beans should be full-size and green, not white and flat.
Yield
About 0.5 lbs per plant over ~3 productive weeks (~0.5 lb). Re-sow every ~14 days for a steady supply instead of one glut.
Watch for
Mexican bean beetle · Aphids · Rust & powdery mildew · Anthracnose, the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with sweet corn, squash, carrot. Keep away from onion, garlic, onion.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
113 kcal · 4.9 g fiber · 23.4 mg vitamin C · 467 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code, not just your zone, in about 60 seconds.
Lima Bean (Bush) cans, freezes, or dries for the pantry. See how much to grow and store to feed your household, and how long it keeps.
Lima Bean (Bush) planting questions
How many lima bean (bush) plants do I need per person?+
For steady eating (about 3 servings a week), plan on roughly 12 plants per person. A family of 4 needs about 45 plants, which takes around 30 sq ft of bed space.
How much space does lima bean (bush) need?+
Space plants 4" apart in the row with 24" between rows. Sow 1" deep. Direct sow in the bed.
When should I plant lima bean (bush)?+
It depends on your frost dates. Spring sowing is keyed to your last spring frost. It also has a fall window keyed to your first fall frost. The zone table on this page shows typical windows; enter your ZIP in the free planner for dates tuned to your exact location, not just your zone.
Is growing lima bean (bush) worth it?+
At about $3.00/lb retail and ~0.5 lb per plant, a family-of-4 planting is worth about $68 a year at the store. Prices vary by region and season, so treat it as an estimate.