Buttercrunch

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Sink your spoon into Buttercrunch’s buttery, crisp leaves that open with a tender snap—cool, mild, and softly sweet with a fresh green fragrance.

Forming tight, upright heads in about 55 days, this variety delivers a velvety yet crunchy texture that stays crisp from garden to table. Ideal for fresh salads and elegant garnishes, Buttercrunch shines when you want lettuce that feels as good as it tastes—light, clean, and beautifully uniform.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
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)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Buttercrunch is the kind of lettuce that eats like a whisper of butter—mild, softly sweet, and crisp enough to hold a vinaigrette without turning watery. Choose it when you want that tender snap and clean green fragrance to stay front-and-center, not buried under heavy dressing.

Best Uses

ice-cold chopped salads where it stays snappy
burger and sandwich layers that won’t go limp fast
simple butter-drip lettuce cups for dipping sauces
garnish for composed plates where texture reads immediately

Flavor Profile

buttery, mild sweetness cool, clean green aroma tender snap with a crisp, velvety chew

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette shaved Parmesan roasted chicken soft herbs (parsley or dill) aged balsamic fresh mozzarella

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I handle aphids or downy mildew on buttercrunch lettuce?

Check weekly under leaves for aphids; wash them off with a strong spray of water and, if needed, spot-treat with insecticidal soap, reapplying every 5–7 days until they’re gone. If you see downy mildew (grayish fuzzy growth on underside with yellowing upper leaves), remove affected leaves immediately and increase airflow—avoid wetting the foliage when watering buttercrunch.

How often should I water buttercrunch during its main growth (about weeks 2–7)?

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—water when the top 1 inch starts to dry, usually about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and container size. For headless/buttercrunch leaves, aim for deep, even moisture that reaches the root zone; if leaves develop bitterness or bolting starts, reduce water stress by watering more regularly during warm spells.

When is buttercrunch ready to harvest (55 days to maturity)?

Harvest when heads or clusters of crisp leaves are firm and the leaves reach full size, typically around 55 days after sowing. Use the “leaf feel” test—choose outer leaves once they’re thick and crisp; for whole plants, harvest before the center becomes too tall or bitter-tasting, as buttercrunch will bolt quickly in heat.