Buttercrisp

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Buttery, crisp leaves unfurl in a softly cupped head that feels as luxurious as it looks—tender, pale-green folds with a clean, refreshing bite.

Buttercrisp’s butterhead form matures in about 60 days, building a compact rosette of velvety texture that stays pleasantly crisp for days. Ideal for fresh salads and elegant platters, it also shines in light, spoonable sauces where its gentle flavor and supple leaves lend a refined finish.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Buttercrisp 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	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 18th	Jul 17th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 7th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 12th	Jul 11th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 6th	Jul 5th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 1st	Jun 30th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	Apr 27th	Jun 26th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	Apr 24th	Jun 23rd – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 18th	Jun 17th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 13th	Jun 12th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 3rd	Jun 2nd – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Mar 25th	May 24th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 16th	May 15th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Feb 27th	Apr 28th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 2nd	Apr 3rd – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Buttercrisp’s butterhead leaves give you that rare combo: tender folds with a real bite, so they don’t collapse into dressing puddles. Keep it bright with lemon/vinaigrette and pair it with creamy or salty proteins—this variety behaves like a palate-cleanser with a luxurious mouthfeel.

Best Uses

cold salads where the leaves stay crisp (wedge-style platters and composed bowls)
light vinaigrettes that cling without overdressing (sherry vinaigrette, lemony olive oil)
chiffonade into warm-but-gentle sautés to keep texture
a spoonable base for quick creamy sauces where the leaves soften without turning watery

Flavor Profile

buttery, mild sweetness tender yet snappy crunch clean, grassy-fresh finish soft, velvety leaf structure

Kitchen Pairings

lemon Dijon mustard extra-virgin olive oil burrata or fresh mozzarella shaved Parmesan roasted chicken or smoked salmon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Lactuca sativa (buttercrisp) and how do I stop it?

Watch for slugs and aphids, which are common on lettuce in cool seasons and can quickly stunt growth or leave leaves with holes. Use floating row cover soon after sowing to keep pests off, then hand-pick slugs at dusk or use a pet-safe slug bait around plant bases. If you see grayish fuzzy patches, remove affected leaves promptly and improve airflow between plants to reduce lettuce diseases like botrytis.

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

During the peak growth period (about weeks 3–8), keep the soil consistently evenly moist—water when the top 1 inch starts to dry out, typically about 1–2 times per week depending on weather. Avoid letting the soil swing from very dry to soaked, since that increases the risk of bitter leaves and bolting in Lactuca sativa. Water at the soil line to keep leaves drier, especially in humid weather.

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

Harvest when heads are fully formed and feel firm when gently squeezed, usually around 60 days from sowing for buttercrisp. Outer leaves should be crisp and fresh, and the center should have a tight, pale-green to buttery appearance typical of butterhead lettuce. If plants start sending up a flowering stalk (bolting), harvest immediately—even if the head isn’t at maximum size—to avoid a bitter taste.