May King

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add May King to a garden.

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

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

May King 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 14th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 18th	Jul 7th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 27th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 27th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 12th	Jul 1st – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 27th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 6th	Jun 25th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 1st	Jun 20th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	Apr 27th	Jun 16th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	Apr 24th	Jun 13th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 18th	Jun 7th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 13th	Jun 2nd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 3rd	May 23rd – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Mar 25th	May 14th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 16th	May 5th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Feb 27th	Apr 18th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 2nd	Mar 24th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th

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.