Type
bush lima, speckled seed
Lima Bean variety
Jackson Wonder Lima Bean
An old southern heirloom valued for both green shelling and dry bean use. It handles heat well and has distinctive mottled seed.
Days to maturity
65 to 70
Best for
southern gardens, dry beans
About Jackson Wonder
Jackson Wonder is a heat- and drought-tolerant Southern heirloom bush lima known for its small, flattened seeds that are buff colored and mottled with purple to maroon speckles. It is a productive baby-lima type with a rich, savory flavor, and the speckled coloring often fades toward tan when the beans are cooked. Its compact bush habit and toughness in dry, hot conditions have made it a longtime favorite in the Southeastern United States.
Growing Jackson Wonder Lima Bean
Sow directly in warm soil and full sun, spacing plants around 3 to 4 inches apart, since this variety thrives in the heat that stresses many other limas. It tolerates drier conditions better than most, but even moisture still improves pod set. Harvest young pods for fresh green shellies, or let the pods dry on the bush and shell out the speckled seeds for storage.
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.