May King

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Crisp, buttery leaves unfurl in a soft, pale-green rosette that feels almost velvety to the eye—then delivers a clean, sweet crunch with a gentle, mellow flavor.

May King forms a well-centered butterhead at about 50 days, with tender, spoon-shaped leaves that stay pleasantly succulent for fresh use and quick, light dressing. Ideal for gardeners who want a dependable, early-season head that looks as refined as it tastes.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Rosette

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 7th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

May King’s butterhead rosette is built for eating straight—tender, succulent leaves that stay intact under a light dressing and deliver a sweet crunch without bitterness. Use it where you want texture to show: quick vinaigrettes, warm-but-gentle fats, and crisp garnishes.

Best Uses

torn-leaf salads with minimal vinaigrette so the sweetness isn’t drowned
quick toss with warm bacon fat or brown-butter drizzle to lightly gloss the leaves
lettuce cups for fresh, crunchy fillings that won’t shred the leaf
simple chilled side salad with lemon, salt, and flaky salt

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow lettuce flavor clean, snappy crunch buttery, spoon-soft leaves lightly vegetal finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon extra-virgin olive oil feta hard-boiled egg smoked bacon parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Lactuca sativa (May King lettuce), and how can I prevent it?

Watch for downy mildew and lettuce aphids, especially when nights are cool and humidity stays high. Improve airflow by spacing plants as directed, avoid wetting leaves during watering, and remove any infected leaves early. If aphids appear, rinse them off with a strong spray and repeat every few days; for recurring outbreaks use insecticidal soap according to label directions.

How often should I water May King lettuce during its main growing phase, and what soil moisture level is best?

During the main growth period (roughly weeks 2–6), keep the top 1 inch of soil consistently evenly moist—typically 1–2 waterings per week depending on heat and container vs. bed. Water deeply enough to reach the root zone, then let the surface slightly dry before the next watering to reduce disease pressure. Lettuce that dries out too much can turn bitter and bolt sooner.

How do I tell when May King lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the head (or rosette, depending on your training) reaches full size for its spacing and the leaves are crisp and tender rather than overly tough. For May King, you’re usually aiming for about 50 days from sowing, but verify by size and leaf texture before cutting. Cut in the morning at ground level, and avoid harvesting after the plant has started bolting (flower stem emerging), which makes leaves bitter.