HeirloomContainer OK

Buttercrunch

Lactuca sativa

Johnny's produces Buttercrunch lettuce using the original stock seed from Cornell University. Forms a small, open but tightly bunched, 6" rosette that is fan-shaped rather than round. Dark green leaves and small compact hearts that blanch to an appetizing yellow color. Crisp and sweet. MT0-30. USDA Certified Organic.

Harvest

55-65d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

'Allstar Mix'

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-12 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Buttercrunch in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 lettuce →

Zone Map

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Buttercrunch · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Spacing8-10 inches

SoilRich, well-drained soil with high organic content

pH6.2-6.8

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorSweet, buttery, and crisp with a delicate, nutty finish

ColorDark green outer leaves with pale yellow-green hearts

Size6"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	May – June	July – October
Zone 4	—	—	April – June	June – October
Zone 5	—	—	April – May	June – November
Zone 6	—	—	April – May	June – November
Zone 7	—	—	March – May	May – November
Zone 8	—	—	March – April	May – December
Zone 9	—	—	February – March	April – 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

Store freshly harvested Buttercrunch in the refrigerator crisper drawer wrapped loosely in damp paper towels, then placed in a perforated plastic bag. Properly stored heads maintain quality for 7-10 days at 32-35°F with high humidity (95-98%).

Avoid washing before storage, as excess moisture promotes rot. Instead, trim the stem end and remove any damaged leaves, then store whole heads to preserve freshness longer than individual leaves.

While lettuce doesn't preserve well through traditional methods like canning or freezing, you can extend its use by making lettuce soup (freeze after cooking), dehydrating outer leaves for seasoning powder, or fermenting in kimchi-style preparations. For best results, use Buttercrunch fresh within a week of harvest when its signature buttery texture and sweet flavor are at their peak. The tender inner leaves can be separated and stored in containers with paper towels for immediate use in salads.

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 growth and flavor

Carrots

Deep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots, helps loosen soil

Radishes

Quick harvest creates space, helps break up soil for lettuce roots

Marigolds

Repels aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes that damage lettuce

Garlic

Natural pest deterrent, repels aphids and rabbits

Spinach

Similar growing conditions, provides ground cover and efficient space use

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects that prey on lettuce pests

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Keep Apart

Sunflowers

Creates excessive shade and competes heavily for nutrients and water

Broccoli

Heavy feeder that competes for nitrogen, can overshadow lettuce

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy

Nutrition Facts

Protein

0.742g(1%)

Carbs

3.37g(1%)

Fat

0.0738g(0%)

Vitamin K

20.5mcg(17%)

Iron

0.0332mg(0%)

Calcium

14.2mg(1%)

Potassium

139mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346388)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to tipburn and moderate bolt resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, leafminers, slugs, flea beetles

Diseases

Downy mildew, bottom rot, tipburn, bolting in heat

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Buttercrunch lettuce take to grow?▼

Buttercrunch lettuce takes 60-75 days to mature from seed to harvest. Indoor-started seedlings transplanted to the garden will be ready to harvest in about 45-50 days from transplant date. The exact timing depends on growing conditions, with cooler weather extending the growing period and consistent moisture and fertility promoting faster growth.

Can you grow Buttercrunch lettuce in containers?▼

Yes, Buttercrunch is excellent for container growing due to its compact 4-6 inch head size. Use containers at least 8 inches deep and 6 inches wide per plant, with drainage holes. Choose a potting mix enriched with compost and place containers where they receive morning sun and afternoon shade in warm climates.

Is Buttercrunch lettuce good for beginners?▼

Buttercrunch is ideal for beginners because of its forgiving nature and bolt resistance. It tolerates temperature fluctuations better than most lettuce varieties and provides clear visual cues for harvest timing. The main challenges are maintaining consistent watering and timing plantings to avoid extreme heat, making it easier than finicky varieties like Iceberg.

What does Buttercrunch lettuce taste like?▼

Buttercrunch has a sweet, mild flavor with buttery texture and satisfying crunch. The outer leaves are slightly more robust while the pale yellow inner leaves are exceptionally tender with a subtle nutty finish. It lacks the bitter compounds found in many lettuce varieties, even when grown in less-than-ideal conditions.

When should I plant Buttercrunch lettuce?▼

Plant Buttercrunch 4-6 weeks before the last frost for spring harvest, or start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting. In zones 8-9, plant in fall for winter harvest. Stop spring plantings 10-12 weeks before summer heat arrives (typically early March in zone 7, late February in zones 8-9).

Buttercrunch vs Boston lettuce - what's the difference?▼

Buttercrunch was bred to improve upon Boston lettuce's heat sensitivity and bolting tendency. While both are butterhead types with similar flavor, Buttercrunch forms more compact, firmer heads and resists tipburn better. Boston lettuce is more cold-hardy but Buttercrunch performs better in variable spring weather and extends the growing season significantly.