Buttercrunch

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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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

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Buttercrunch 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	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 19th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 18th	Jul 12th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 12th	Jul 6th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 6th	Jun 30th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 25th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	Apr 27th	Jun 21st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	Apr 24th	Jun 18th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 18th	Jun 12th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 13th	Jun 7th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 3rd	May 28th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Mar 25th	May 19th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 16th	May 10th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Feb 27th	Apr 23rd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 2nd	Mar 29th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th

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.