Bibb
Lactuca sativa 'Bibb'
A classic American butterhead lettuce developed in Kentucky, prized for its exceptionally tender leaves and sweet, delicate flavor. The small, compact heads form perfect individual serving sizes with butter-soft texture that melts in your mouth. This gourmet variety is favored by chefs and home gardeners who appreciate premium salad quality.
Harvest
55-60d
Days to harvest
Sun
'Allstar Mix'
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Bibb in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 lettuce →Zone Map
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Bibb · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May – June | June – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | — | — | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | April – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | March – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | March – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: 'Allstar Mix', 'Bibb', 'Black-seeded Simpson', 'Buttercrunch', 'Green Oakleaf', 'Ithaca', 'Jericho', Lactuca sativa var. augustana ('Celtuce'), 'New Red Fire', 'Pennlake', 'Red Sails', 'Salinas'. Soil: High Organic Matter. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Tiny seeds with a dandelion-like tuft (pappus) to aid in wind dispersal.
Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Leaves can be used raw or cooked in salads, sandwiches, and other dishes. Head lettuce can be stored for 2-3 weeks while leaf and butterhead store for 1-2 weeks.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Bibb lettuce stays crisp for 5-7 days when stored properly in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. Wrap unwashed heads loosely in damp paper towels, then place in perforated plastic bags to maintain humidity while allowing air circulation. Never store at temperatures below 32°F, which causes leaf damage and bitter flavors.
Bibb's delicate leaves don't freeze, can, or dry well due to their high water content and tender structure. Instead, preserve your harvest by making lettuce soup—sauté chopped leaves with onions and broth, then freeze the cooked soup for up to 6 months. For immediate use, Bibb leaves work excellently in fresh spring rolls that keep refrigerated for 2-3 days, or blend into green smoothies and freeze in ice cube trays for quick additions to drinks.
History & Origin
Origin: Mediterranean to Siberia
Advantages
- +Edible: Leaves can be used raw or cooked in salads, sandwiches, and other dishes. Head lettuce can be stored for 2-3 weeks while leaf and butterhead store for 1-2 weeks.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Sap/Juice): Low severity
- -Causes contact dermatitis
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Chives
Repels aphids and improves lettuce flavor
Radishes
Acts as trap crop for flea beetles and loosens soil
Carrots
Different root depths allow efficient space use without competition
Marigolds
Deters aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes
Garlic
Repels aphids and slugs that commonly damage lettuce
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Spinach
Similar growing conditions and harvest times
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects that prey on lettuce pests
Keep Apart
Broccoli
Heavy feeder that competes for nutrients and can shade lettuce
Sunflowers
Allelopathic compounds inhibit lettuce germination and growth
Parsley
Competes for similar nutrients and can harbor carrot fly larvae
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346388)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate disease resistance. Sensitive to heat stress and tipburn.
Common Pests
Aphids, slugs, cutworms, flea beetles
Diseases
Tipburn, downy mildew, lettuce drop, bottom rot