Type
bush lima
Lima Bean variety
Fordhook 242 Lima Bean
A widely grown large-seeded bush lima with thick, buttery beans. It is one of the best-known home-garden lima varieties in the US.
Days to maturity
75
Best for
succotash, fresh shell beans
About Fordhook 242
Fordhook 242 is a bush lima of the thick-seeded potato-lima type, bearing plump, meaty seeds that are larger and richer than baby lima kinds. It is a well known All-America Selections winner valued for setting pods reliably even during hot weather when many limas drop their blossoms. The sturdy bush plants hold their pods well off the ground for easy picking.
Growing Fordhook 242 Lima Bean
Space plants about 3 to 6 inches apart in warm soil and full sun, as this variety needs consistent heat to size up its large seeds. Its heat tolerance makes it a strong pick for regions with hot summers, though steady moisture during flowering helps prevent blossom drop. Harvest when pods bulge with well-formed seeds but remain green, or let them dry on the plant for storage beans.
Full growing guide
For planting dates, care, and harvest that apply to all lima beans, see the complete guide.
How to grow Lima BeansOther lima beans varieties
Variety characteristics are general guidance for US home gardens; performance varies by climate, soil, and season. Seed and plant availability differs by supplier. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.