SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Flashy Butter Gem

Lettuce
Zone 13a Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Flashy Butter Gem to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.
Botanical illustration of Flashy Butter Gem
50d to harvest

Silken, buttery leaves unfurl in a luminous rosette, offering a crisp-yet-gentle crunch with a sweet, clean finish. Flashy Butter Gem forms a compact butterhead at about 50 days, with tender, spoon-soft texture that stays pleasantly mild as it matures. Ideal for fresh salads and elegant sandwich-style layers, it’s also a standout for quick tosses and chilled garnishes where its delicate leaves shine.

Sowing Tips

Soil Temperature

Direct sow or transplant when soil at planting depth holds 40°F for reliable germination and early growth.

Expert Note

For best sweetness, keep plants cool and harvest at full head size before heat triggers bitterness or bolting.

Crop Dates

Growing note: In frost-free Zone 13a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).
MilestoneDate
Start Indoors—
ClimateFrost-Free Climate
Transplant / Sow OutdoorsOct 1st
Harvest BeginsNov 20th
Harvest EndsFeb 28th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity50
Sun RequirementsPart SunPartial sun
Growth HabitRosette
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthSurface
Germination Temp (°F)70
Min Soil Temp (°F)40
Min Night Temp (°F)35
Harden Off (days)5

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Flashy Butter Gem in Zone 13a typically begins around 2026-10-01. Wait until soil reaches at least 40°F before transplanting Flashy Butter Gem.

Garden Alerts

In frost-free Zone 13a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Lactuca sativa (lettuce) — what pest or disease issue should I watch for, and how do I fix it?
Watch for downy mildew (often shows as yellow patches on leaves with grayish growth underneath) and aphids, which cluster on tender new growth. Improve airflow and avoid wetting leaves when you water; remove and discard badly infected leaves to slow spread. For aphids, rinse plants with a strong jet of water and, if needed, spot-treat with insecticidal soap according to the label.
How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?
During active leaf growth (roughly weeks 2–6), keep the soil evenly moist—water when the top 1 inch feels dry. Aim for consistent moisture rather than soaking and drying, because irregular watering can lead to bitterness and premature bolting in lettuce. If you’re growing in hot part-sun conditions, check moisture 1–2 times per week and water more frequently only if the top inch dries out.
How can I tell when my Lactuca sativa ‘Flashy Butter Gem’ is ready to harvest?
Harvest when heads/rosettes are firm and filled out, typically around 50 days from sowing, with leaves that are a mature size for eating. If leaves pull easily from the center or the plant has started to stretch upward, it’s getting ready to bolt and should be harvested immediately. For best eating quality, harvest in the cool part of the day and cut at the base just above the soil line.

Sowing Tips

Soil Temperature

Direct sow or transplant when soil at planting depth holds 40°F for reliable germination and early growth.

Expert Note

For best sweetness, keep plants cool and harvest at full head size before heat triggers bitterness or bolting.

Botanical illustration of Flashy Butter Gem

Silken, buttery leaves unfurl in a luminous rosette, offering a crisp-yet-gentle crunch with a sweet, clean finish. Flashy Butter Gem forms a compact butterhead at about 50 days, with tender, spoon-soft texture that stays pleasantly mild as it matures. Ideal for fresh salads and elegant sandwich-style layers, it’s also a standout for quick tosses and chilled garnishes where its delicate leaves shine.