SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Crispino

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green
Zone 11a Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Crispino to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.

Crispino Romaine delivers an unmistakably crisp, cool crunch with a clean, gently sweet flavor and a tender, succulent bite.

Its upright heads form tight, elongated hearts wrapped in crisp, medium-green leaves that stay pleasantly snappy as they mature in about 60 days. Grow Crispino for fresh salads and vibrant garnishes—its sturdy structure makes it a standout for repeat harvest-style enjoyment and beautiful, uniform presentation.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Crispino

Select your planting zone

To calculate dates and add this crop to your garden, provide your location or zone below.

Crop Dates : 11a

Growing note: In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).
MilestoneDate
Start Indoors—
ClimateFrost-Free Climate
Transplant / Sow OutdoorsOct 1st
Harvest BeginsNov 30th
Harvest EndsFeb 28th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity60
Sun RequirementsPart SunPartial sun
Growth HabitRosette
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthSurface
Germination Temp (°F)45
Min Soil Temp (°F)40
Min Night Temp (°F)30
Harden Off (days)5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Crispino’s upright hearts and tight leaf structure give you a clean, cool crunch that doesn’t collapse into dressing—so it stays alive in a salad bowl. Use it for Caesar vibes or any warm-and-cold mix where you want snap to survive the heat.

Best Uses

  • ice-cold side salads that need a long-lasting crunch
  • Romaine-heart chopping for Caesar-style dressing capture
  • grilled or seared-just-once lettuce for a quick char without going limp
  • crunchy taco/gyro topping that holds under hot fillings

Flavor Profile

cool, gently sweet lettuce taste bright, crisp snap tender-but-firm succulent bite

Kitchen Pairings

lemon Parmesan garlic anchovy olive oil chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Lactuca sativa (leaf lettuce) like Crispino, and what should I do?
A common problem is downy mildew (especially in cool, damp conditions), which shows as pale yellow patches on leaf tops and fuzzy growth underneath. Remove and discard affected leaves, improve airflow between plants, and water at the base early in the day to keep foliage dry. If it’s spreading, switch to an appropriate labeled fungicide for lettuce/downy mildew and follow label timing at symptom onset.
How often should I water Crispino lettuce during its main growth phase, and how moist should the soil stay?
During the main growth phase, keep soil consistently evenly moist—aim for top 1–2 inches to stay lightly damp, not soggy. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and rainfall, then adjust so the soil never dries out completely; lettuce roots are shallow and will wilt quickly. Avoid frequent light sprinkling that leaves the root zone dry and keeps leaves wet.
How can I tell when Crispino (Lactuca sativa) is ready to harvest?
Harvest when plants reach the specified size and leaf texture is crisp and full, typically around 60 days from sowing. Check daily in the final week—lettuce can turn bitter and bolt as temperatures rise, so harvest promptly once the leaves are at your preferred size. For best quality, cut outer leaves first or harvest the whole head/rosette at crisp maturity rather than waiting for overgrowth.

Garden Alerts

In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

Garden Alerts

In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 40°F and nights stay above 30°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 5 days first.

Expert Note

For the sweetest, most crisp heads, keep lettuce cool and transplant into evenly moist soil before summer heat drives bitterness and bolting.