Butterhead Bibb

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Buttery, tender leaves unfurl in a loose, cloudlike rosette—cool to the eye and delicately sweet on the palate.

Butterhead Bibb forms a compact head with spoon-soft texture and a gentle, green crunch that stays succulent from first harvest through the season’s early rhythm. Ideal for fresh salads and elegant cups of greens, it’s a favorite for gardeners who want a quick 55-day payoff and a truly refined bite.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Butterhead Bibb

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Butterhead Bibb 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 26th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Jul 19th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Jul 13th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 7th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jun 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jun 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jun 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	May 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	May 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	Apr 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Apr 5th – 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	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Butterhead Bibb is all about tenderness and a cool, sweet leaf—think “succulent spoon” rather than crisp. Treat it gently: crisp cold, sharp dressing, and quick tossing so those buttery leaves don’t turn sulky or watery.

Best Uses

ice-cold chopped salads where the leaves stay intact
lightly dressed lettuce cups (vinaigrette + herbs) without wilting
wedge-style service with warm bacon-like fat and sharp acid
quick wilting in a warm bowl—just enough to relax, not collapse

Flavor Profile

delicate sweetness spoon-soft tenderness gentle green crunch buttery, cool finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette aged balsamic chives Parmigiano-Reggiano prosciutto grilled chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my butterhead (Bibb) leaves getting mushy and brown at the soil line, and what should I do?

Mushy, brown bases on Bibb are often caused by damping-off or early rot from consistently wet soil and poor airflow. Remove affected plants, improve drainage, and water only at the soil surface (not on leaves). Space plants closer to label spacing and thin promptly so heads form in drier, better-ventilated conditions.

How often should I water butterhead (Bibb) during the main growing phase to prevent bolting and keep heads tender?

During head formation, keep the soil evenly moist with about 1 inch of water per week, adjusting to rainfall and heat. Water deeply 1–2 times weekly rather than frequent light sprinkles, and check that the top 1 inch of soil stays slightly moist but not soggy. If the soil dries out fully between waterings, Bibb can stress and become tough or bolt.

When is butterhead (Bibb) ready to harvest, and how do I know the heads are ripe?

Harvest at about 55 days when heads feel firm but still tender and the leaves are flexible (not crunchy) when pressed gently. Look for the center to be well formed with leaves that are pale to light green, depending on your variety. For best flavor, cut in the morning and harvest before the head starts to elongate upward toward bolting.