Tennis Ball

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Crisp, tender butterhead leaves form a perfectly rounded “tennis ball” head, with a cool, milky sweetness and a delicate, buttery snap.

At maturity it delivers a lush, spoon-soft texture—ideal for fresh salads and elegant gatherings where you want flavor that stays light and refreshing. Grow Tennis Ball for a dependable 55-day rhythm and a head shape so tidy it practically invites the harvest basket.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 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 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This butterhead forms a tidy head with a milky sweetness that reads cool and clean—great when you want lettuce to be the main event, not a background green. Use minimal acid and let the buttery snap and spoon-soft center do the work, especially in wedges and quick-dressed salads.

Best Uses

tight, no-mess butterhead wedge salads that hold dressing
lightly dressed crunch with lemon vinaigrette
sandwich layers where the leaves stay delicate without turning soggy
simple butter-and-salt wilt for a soft, glossy finish

Flavor Profile

cool, milky sweetness buttery snap in the outer leaves spoon-soft tenderness at the center

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil goat cheese white cheddar chicken croutons

Frequently Asked Questions

Lactuca sativa (Tennis Ball) — what should I watch for to prevent downy mildew or lettuce leaf spot, and how do I treat it?

In lettuce, downy mildew and leaf spot often show up as yellow patches on top with gray-purple growth underneath, especially in cool, damp weather. Remove affected leaves, increase airflow between plants, and water at the soil line (not onto leaves). If problems persist, use an approved fungicide labeled for lettuce downy mildew/leaf spot and avoid overhead watering until temperatures dry the canopy.

How often should I water Tennis Ball lettuce during the main growth phase?

During the 4–6 weeks leading up to harvest, keep soil evenly moist so heads stay compact and leaves don’t turn bitter. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week (more in hot, windy weather) to wet the root zone, and let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly before the next watering. If you see leaf edges drying or the plant bolting, it’s usually a sign the soil is swinging too dry between waterings.

How can I tell when Lactuca sativa “Tennis Ball” is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads are firm to the touch and reach the typical compact size for 55 days from sowing, with leaves that are crisp and fully filled through the center. Use your hand to gently squeeze—if it feels loose like a rosette, give it a few more days. For best texture, cut early in the day and refrigerate immediately after harvest.