Description

Bean ‘Madagascar’ is a lima-type bean. It is a vigorous climbing variety and will need support. The pods are very stringy, and the purple and white speckled beans are usually used dried. Needs soil temperature of at least 18°C to germinate. Lima beans can be perennial in warm, frost-free areas. In western Sydney, they tend to die down in winter but return in spring. Leave the beans on the vine until they are fully dry. Harvest the beans by cutting, not pulling or the plant may be damaged.
Madagascar beans are a species of Phaseolus lunatus, which includes lima beans and Madagascar beans. If growing for seed collection, check the Latin name of the beans you are about to plant: all varieties of Phaseolus lunatus have the potential to cross-pollinate with each other. They will, however, not cross-pollinate with green (string) beans or kidney beans (both Phaseolus vulgaris), snake beans, runner beans, soybeans or lablab beans, so feel free to grow these other types of beans near your Madagascar bean of choice.