VegetableBean
Jackson Wonder Lima Bean
Lima Bean
Jackson Wonder Lima Bean brings the heat-loving legacy of post-Civil War Georgia to your garden, producing beautiful mottled purple-brown beans in just 60-69 days. This compact bush variety reaches 12-24 inches tall and thrives in zones 3-11, making it one of the most adaptable limas you can grow. Named after Thomas Jackson, who farmed near Atlanta after the Civil War, these drought-tolerant plants produce abundant 3-inch pods packed with 3-4 distinctively speckled beans that shine both fresh and dried.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/organic-jackson-wonder-lima-bean)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Preferred Temp75-90°F
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
24 in
Width
PeriodAnnual
TypeBush
Spacing
6-8 inches apart in rows 18-24 inches apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-11
Size
24in H x 24in W
Growth
Annual
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
This remarkable heirloom stands out with its stunning mottled pattern of tan, maroon, purple, and black that makes every bean a work of art. The compact bush habit eliminates the need for trellising while delivering exceptional yields in hot, dry conditions that would stress other varieties. Its dual-purpose nature lets you enjoy tender young pods like snow peas or harvest the mature beans for fresh eating or long-term storage. The combination of heat tolerance, drought resistance, and disease resistance to Bacterial Blight, Downy Mildew, and Powdery Mildew makes this one of the most reliable lima beans for challenging growing conditions.
Common Uses
These versatile beans excel both as fresh butter beans and dried storage beans for hearty winter meals. Young tender pods can be prepared like snow peas, while mature fresh beans deliver the classic buttery lima flavor that Southern cooks prize. When dried, they become perfect for slow-cooked stews, soups enriched with ham hocks and vegetables, and traditional baked bean preparations where their rich, nutty flavor and soft texture shine through long cooking processes.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Summer
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 65°F. Plant seeds 1 to 1.5 inches deep, spacing them 4-6 inches apart in rows spaced 24-36 inches apart. Lima beans do not transplant well, so direct sowing is essential for success.
Harvesting
Harvest Jackson Wonder beans at 60-69 days when pods are plump, firm, and have a slightly leathery texture. For fresh eating, pick pods when bright green with fully formed but tender beans inside. For dried beans, wait until pods develop a sheen and firm texture, or leave them on the plant until they turn brown and the beans rattle inside when shaken. Gently pull or snap pods from plants, or use scissors to avoid damaging the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production throughout the growing season.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Soil pH Range
6 – 7
Scientific Classification
Phaseolus L.
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Phaseolus
History & Origin
“Jackson Wonder Lima Bean carries the agricultural heritage of the post-Civil War South, named after Thomas Jackson who farmed near Atlanta, Georgia, following the end of the Civil War. This variety was developed in the Southeastern United States in the late 19th century, bred specifically for heat tolerance and adaptability to the hot, humid climates of the region. Introduced around 1888 and named after the town of Jackson in Georgia, this heirloom represents the ingenuity of Southern farmers who needed crops that could withstand challenging growing conditions while providing reliable nutrition for their families.”