Lollo Blondo

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

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Lollo Blondo unfolds in a soft, airy rosette of warm-golden green leaves, their finely ruffled edges catching light like lace.

Tender and pleasantly sweet, with a crisp, springy bite, this heirloom loose-leaf forms a generous harvest in about 45 days—ideal for gardeners who love beauty as much as flavor. Lollo Blondo shines in fresh salads and as a delicate, leafy base for vibrant greens blends, its frilliness holding texture beautifully in every bowl.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Lollo Blondo 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 9th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 18th	Jul 2nd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 22nd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 22nd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 12th	Jun 26th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 22nd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 6th	Jun 20th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 1st	Jun 15th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	Apr 27th	Jun 11th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	Apr 24th	Jun 8th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 18th	Jun 2nd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 13th	May 28th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 3rd	May 18th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Mar 25th	May 9th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 16th	Apr 30th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Feb 27th	Apr 13th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 2nd	Mar 19th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
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)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Lollo Blondo’s loose, airy frills are all about that delicate, springy crunch—dress it lightly and it won’t collapse into wet shreds. It’s the lettuce you choose when you want sweet-green tenderness to stay crisp even after a brief toss.

Best Uses

toss with a quick vinaigrette so the frilly leaves stay crisp
use as a soft-crunch base for shaved add-ins and warm toppings
layer in sandwiches/wraps where you want lift without heavy bitterness
finish bowls with a squeeze of citrus to wake up the sweetness

Flavor Profile

tender, pleasantly sweet leaf fine, ruffled crunch with a springy bite light, fresh green character

Kitchen Pairings

lemon extra-virgin olive oil parmesan shaved prosciutto crusty bread croutons radicchio

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Lactuca sativa (Lollo Blondo), and how can I manage it?

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is often hit by aphids and downy mildew, especially when plants stay damp and crowded. Check the undersides of leaves every few days and spray aphids off with a strong water jet, then remove heavily infested leaves. For downy mildew, improve airflow by thinning to proper spacing, water at soil level (not overhead), and remove any yellowing or fuzzy/gray leaf patches to slow spread.

How often should I water Lollo Blondo during the main growing phase?

During the main growth period, keep the soil consistently evenly moist so the leaves grow fast and stay tender—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for rain and heat. In warm weather, this often means watering 2–3 times per week rather than one deep soak. Let the top 1 inch of soil lightly dry between waterings to prevent soggy conditions that encourage mildew, but don’t let the plant fully dry out or it can turn bitter and bolt early.

How do I tell when Lollo Blondo is ready to harvest?

Harvest Lactuca sativa around 45 days from sowing when the rosettes have formed full, crisp leaves and reach the size typical for your bed. For best flavor, pick in the morning when the leaves are turgid and before heat triggers bitterness or bolting. If heads are loose (as in leaf lettuces), start harvesting outer leaves when they’re large enough, leaving the center to continue producing.