Buttercrunch Bibb
Lactuca sativa 'Buttercrunch'
A premium butterhead lettuce that's been delighting gardeners for decades with its exceptional tenderness and sweet, buttery flavor. This variety forms perfect, compact heads with thick, succulent leaves that practically melt in your mouth. Heat-tolerant and bolt-resistant, Buttercrunch is ideal for gardeners who want restaurant-quality lettuce from their own backyard.
Harvest
65-75d
Days to harvest
Sun
'Allstar Mix'
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Buttercrunch Bibb in USDA Zone 7
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Buttercrunch Bibb · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – June | July – 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 wrapped in damp paper towels inside a perforated plastic bag. This maintains optimal humidity while preventing moisture buildup that causes rot. Properly stored heads last 7-10 days, significantly longer than most lettuce varieties due to their dense structure.
Never store Buttercrunch with ethylene-producing fruits like apples or tomatoes, as this accelerates deterioration. For best flavor and texture, use within 3-5 days of harvest.
While lettuce doesn't preserve well through traditional methods, you can freeze Buttercrunch for cooked applications like soups or stir-fries. Blanch leaves for 30 seconds, shock in ice water, drain thoroughly, and freeze in portions. Frozen lettuce works well in green smoothies but loses its fresh texture. Dehydrating creates crispy leaf chips – wash, dry thoroughly, and dehydrate at 125°F until completely crisp.
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 while taking up minimal space
Radishes
Fast-growing crop that breaks up soil and deters cucumber beetles
Carrots
Different root depths allow efficient space use without competition
Marigolds
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes that damage lettuce roots
Spinach
Similar growing requirements and harvest times, efficient garden space use
Garlic
Natural pest deterrent against aphids and slugs that commonly attack lettuce
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting lettuce
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs that control aphid populations
Keep Apart
Broccoli
Heavy feeder that competes for nutrients and creates too much shade
Sunflowers
Allelopathic compounds inhibit lettuce germination and growth
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants including lettuce through allelopathy
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346388)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to tip burn, moderate bolt resistance in cool weather
Common Pests
Aphids, slugs, snails, cutworms, flea beetles
Diseases
Downy mildew, lettuce drop, bottom rot, tip burn