Bijou

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

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Tender, jewel-toned leaves unfurl with a crisp, water-bright snap—Bijou loose-leaf lettuce brings a fresh, sweet-green flavor that feels clean and lively from the first handful.

The foliage forms an airy rosette of finely textured, delicately ruffled leaves, delivering a pleasantly buttery bite without heaviness. Grow Bijou for salads and quick tosses, or for vibrant garnishes that add color and crunch to greens-forward plates.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Bijou Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	May 4th	Jun 1st	Jul 21st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Jul 14th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 4th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Jul 8th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 2nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jun 27th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jun 23rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jun 20th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 14th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 9th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	May 30th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	May 21st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	May 12th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	Apr 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Mar 31st – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Bijou loose-leaf stays tender while still delivering that cool, water-snap—great for salads that need crunch without bulk. It’s built for citrusy dressings and salty cheeses, where its sweet-green flavor reads clean instead of watery.

Best Uses

quick-toss salads where the leaves stay crisp
greens-forward plates with a light vinaigrette that clings to ruffles
layered sandwiches for crunchy texture without heaviness
colorful garnish for composed bowls and ceviche-style dishes

Flavor Profile

water-bright sweetness buttery, lightly nutty bite tender crisp snap clean, leafy finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette aged cheddar feta hard-boiled egg grilled chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Lactuca sativa (Lollo Rossa/Bijou), and how do I manage it?

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is especially prone to downy mildew and aphids, and dense, cool-wet conditions can trigger rapid mildew spread. Improve airflow by spacing plants and watering at the base, then remove heavily affected leaves; for aphids, spray plants with a strong stream of water and repeat every 2–3 days for a week to dislodge them.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase for best head/leaf quality?

During active growth (roughly weeks 2–6), keep the soil consistently evenly moist but not soggy, aiming for the top 1 inch to stay damp. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week depending on heat, and increase to more frequent light watering only if the soil dries out quickly—lettuce that dries and re-wets repeatedly tends to get bitter and go to seed early.

How can I tell when Bijou (Lactuca sativa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest about 50 days from sowing when leaves are fully formed and tender, with each plant reaching its typical rosette size for Lollo Rossa. Pick in the morning and look for crisp texture—if leaves start to look elongated or the plant begins stretching upward, harvest immediately before it turns bitter or bolts.