Rosaine

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

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

Velvety leaves unfurl in a serene, butter-soft rosette—Rosaine’s tender texture feels almost satin under the fingertips.

Expect a mild, sweet-green flavor with a gentle, creamy finish that shines in fresh salads and makes a lovely base for light, spoonable blends, as well as quick pickling-style tang when you want a crisp bite. At about 50 days, this butterhead forms neatly and reliably, rewarding home gardeners with a premium harvest that stays pleasantly succulent from garden to bowl.

Light: Full ShadeMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Rosaine 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	Jun 1st	Jul 21st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Jul 14th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 4th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Jul 8th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 2nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jun 27th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jun 23rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jun 20th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 14th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 9th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	May 30th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	May 21st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	May 12th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	Apr 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Mar 31st – 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	Full Shade
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Rosaine’s butterhead rosette eats like something delicate—treat it kindly so those satin leaves don’t bruise. Its mild sweetness and creamy finish are made for sharp lemony dressing or a fast tangy pickle, and it holds up beautifully against soft cheeses and cool dairy.

Best Uses

fresh butterhead salads where the leaves stay tender and satin—no heavy chopping
quick pickling-style salads for a crisp, tangy contrast
light spoonable blends with yogurt or crème fraîche (leaves as the soft base)
sandwich or wrap bedding where it adds body without crunching up

Flavor Profile

mild sweet-green flavor butter-soft, velvety leaf texture creamy, subtle finish light, refreshing bite when dressed or briefly pickled

Kitchen Pairings

lemon extra-virgin olive oil radishes goat cheese yogurt

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Lactuca sativa (Rosaine) leaves developing ragged holes and sticky slime, and what should I do?

These symptoms are most often from slugs or snails, which thrive on lettuce leaves and leave silvery trails or slime. Hand-pick at dusk, remove hiding spots (boards/weed debris), and use a physical barrier (copper tape around beds or collars on individual plants). If pressure is high, set slug bait formulated for snails/slugs and keep it away from pets and beneficial insects.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase to keep it from bolting or getting bitter?

During active leaf growth (roughly weeks 3–6), keep the soil consistently evenly moist—water whenever the top 1/2 inch feels dry. Aim for deep, slow watering that reaches the root zone rather than frequent splashes, because uneven moisture can trigger stress and bitterness. In full shade, you’ll usually water less often, but do not let the soil dry out fully between waterings.

How can I tell when Rosaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is ready to harvest around day 50?

Harvest when heads/rosettes are firm for their size and the outer leaves are fully expanded and crisp, typically around 50 days from sowing (varies by temperature). If leaves start to look elongated or the plant shoots upward, you’re past the prime harvest window. Cut outer leaves for a second flush, or harvest the whole plant once the rosette is at the desired fullness.