Bibb

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Sink your spoon into Bibb’s velvety, butter-soft leaves—tender, sweet, and delicately nutty with a fresh, clean snap.

Forming compact, spoon-shaped heads in about 55 days, this butterhead lettuce delivers a lush, pale-green heart cradled by gently cupped outer leaves. Ideal for fresh salads and elegant platters, Bibb shines when you want a tender texture that stays crisp and inviting from garden to table.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Bibb’s butterhead structure is tender enough to feel luxurious, but it still holds a bright, watery snap—so dress it lightly and early, and let it stay the star. Use it where you want sweetness and a spoonable mouthfeel rather than sharp, leafy bitterness.

Best Uses

cold, dressed salads where the leaves need to stay supple (no heavy chopping)
elegant lettuce cups for light fillings and quick assembly
quick-grilled or seared lettuce wedges for short char plus juicy crunch

Flavor Profile

butter-soft tenderness sweet, clean, gently nutty bite fresh, high-water crisp snap

Kitchen Pairings

lemon extra-virgin olive oil grated Parmigiano-Reggiano fresh herbs (chive or tarragon) crusty sourdough croutons grilled shrimp or roast chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

My Bibb lettuce is developing pale, silvery patches and tiny black specks—could this be thrips, and what should I do?

Yes, thrips commonly cause silvery scarring and specks on lettuce leaves. Rinse plants with a strong spray of cool water, then apply insecticidal soap (especially under leaves) in the early morning and repeat every 5–7 days for at least 2 rounds. Remove badly infested leaves and keep weeds down, since thrips build up on nearby hosts.

How often should I water Bibb lettuce during the main growing phase?

During the main growth period, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 sessions if it’s hot or windy. Check by pushing a finger 1 inch into the soil: if it feels dry at that depth, water; if it stays cool and damp, hold off. Uneven moisture leads to bitter leaves and can trigger early bolting in Bibb.

When is Bibb lettuce ready to harvest, and how do I know?

Harvest when heads feel firm and leaves are full-sized—typically around 55 days from sowing for Bibb. Look for a compact, smooth head with outer leaves that are about 4–6 inches long; avoid waiting until leaves get loose or overly tall. For the best flavor, cut at the base early in the morning and chill right away.