Red Buttercos

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Red Buttercos to a garden.

Velvety, butter-soft leaves unfurl in a compact rosette, colored a rich garnet-red that deepens toward the outer folds.

Red Buttercos forms a tender, spoonable heart with a mild, sweet crunch—ideal for fresh salads and elegant garnishes, and it shines when lightly dressed or layered in cool-season platters. At about 50 days, it’s a satisfying choice for gardeners who want a showy, garden-fresh butterhead with a delicate texture and refreshing flavor.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Red Buttercos 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	Apr 6th	Jun 1st	Jul 21st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Mar 30th	May 25th	Jul 14th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 20th	May 15th	Jul 4th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 20th	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 24th	May 19th	Jul 8th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 20th	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 18th	May 13th	Jul 2nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 13th	May 8th	Jun 27th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 9th	May 4th	Jun 23rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 6th	May 1st	Jun 20th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 14th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 9th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 13th	Apr 10th	May 30th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 4th	Apr 1st	May 21st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 26th	Mar 23rd	May 12th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 9th	Mar 6th	Apr 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 15th	Feb 9th	Mar 31st – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Buttercos is a butterhead lettuce where the magic is the leaf—velvety, spoonable, and still lightly snappy at the edges. Use it with bright, restrained dressings so the garnet-red folds stay intact and creamy rather than turning watery.

Best Uses

ice-cold composed salads where it won’t shred—treat it like edible upholstery
quick toss with a light vinaigrette or lemony dressing to keep the center intact
layering in cold sandwiches and wraps where the leaves act as a creamy barrier
garnish duty: rip into shards for bowls, platters, and seafood sides

Flavor Profile

mildly sweet, milky flavor butter-soft yet crisp-edged crunch tender, spoonable leaf texture clean, cool-season refreshment

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil feta cheese crisp bacon or prosciutto grilled or poached salmon cucumber

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely to hit Lactuca sativa (red butterhead type), and how do I control it?

Watch for aphids and slugs/snails on tender lettuce leaves, especially in warm, humid stretches. Rinse aphids off with a strong spray and remove heavily infested leaves; for slugs, hand-pick at dusk and use a copper barrier or iron-phosphate bait where it can’t reach pets. Also keep airflow up and water at soil level to reduce risk of fungal leaf spots and downy mildew in dense stands.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase?

During head/leaf expansion (after seedlings establish), keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—typically about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings in hot weather. Lettuce in Asteraceae will get bitter and bolt faster if it dries out, so aim for consistently damp soil 1–2 inches down rather than letting it swing dry-to-wet. Mulch helps stabilize moisture around the plants.

How can I tell when Lactuca sativa is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the heads feel firm and leaves are fully expanded for a butterhead type, usually around 50 days from sowing for your growing conditions. Use a light squeeze—if the center gives only slightly and the outer leaves are crisp, cut the head at the base in the morning for best texture. Don’t wait until the plant bolts (flower stalk starts); once it bolts, leaf quality drops quickly.