Lollo Rossa Bionda

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Delicate, ruffled leaves unfurl in a living bouquet—crisp and tender with a sweet, lightly nutty bite and a rosy blush that deepens as the weather cools.

Lollo Rossa Bionda forms loose, frilly heads of warm butter-green edged and veined with wine-red, creating a texture that stays pleasantly crunchy from first harvest to the last. Ideal for fresh salads and elegant garnishes, it also shines in quick tosses, bright green-and-rose platters, and vibrant leafy blends.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Lollo Rossa Bionda

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 2nd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
Sun Requirements	Full 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)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Lollo Rossa Bionda is a lettuce you treat like fresh herbs and fragile fruit—dress it lightly and serve fast so the ruffles keep their snap. The rosy edge brings a gentle, cool bitterness that plays beautifully with bright lemon, creamy cheeses, and salty fats.

Best Uses

tossed salads where it stays crunchy (light dressing, minimal time)
garnish duty—use the ruffled leaves as edible color and texture on composed plates
quick leafy sauté in a hot pan with butter/olive oil to soften without turning to mush

Flavor Profile

sweet, lightly nutty bite tender-crisp ruffles clean grassy freshness with a faint rosy bitterness

Kitchen Pairings

lemon extra-virgin olive oil Parmigiano-Reggiano goat cheese grilled chicken croutons

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on Lactuca sativa (lettuce) like Lollo Rossa, and how do I treat it?

Lettuce commonly suffers from aphids and downy mildew, especially in cool, humid conditions. Check leaf undersides weekly and spray aphids with a strong water jet or insecticidal soap, coating both sides of leaves. For downy mildew, remove affected leaves immediately, improve airflow (thin plants), and avoid wetting the foliage; if it keeps spreading, discard badly infected plants to prevent it from moving through the bed.

How often should I water Lollo Rossa lettuce during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

During active leaf growth, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for even moisture in the top 1–2 inches. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week depending on heat, and more often during hot spells so plants don’t dry out (drying leads to bitterness and bolting). Mulch lightly to reduce surface drying, and water at the soil line to prevent wet leaves.

How can I tell when Lollo Rossa lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest around 40–55 days after sowing when rosettes are well formed and the outer leaves are tender, usually when plants are roughly 6–8 inches across. You can do cut-and-come-again: take the outer leaves when they’re large enough, leaving the center to regrow. If you notice flowering stalk formation or leaves turning noticeably bitter, harvest immediately to catch the best quality before bolting.