Salanova Red Butter
Lactuca sativa 'Salanova Red Butter'
A revolutionary multi-leaf lettuce that produces 16-20 individual leaves from a single cut, making harvest incredibly efficient and waste-free. The tender, red-tinged butterhead-type leaves offer premium texture and sweet flavor while the innovative breeding ensures every leaf is perfectly sized for salads. This modern variety combines convenience with gourmet quality.
Harvest
50-55d
Days to harvest
Sun
'Allstar Mix'
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Salanova Red Butter in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 lettuce →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Salanova Red Butter · 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
Store freshly harvested Salanova Red Butter in the refrigerator immediately after cutting. Wrap the separated leaves gently in damp paper towels and place in a perforated plastic bag. Keep in the crisper drawer at 32-36°F with high humidity—properly stored leaves maintain quality for 7-10 days.
For meal prep, wash and dry leaves thoroughly using a salad spinner, then store in airtight containers lined with paper towels. This variety doesn't preserve well through traditional methods like freezing or drying due to its high water content and delicate texture. However, you can incorporate leaves into green smoothie ice cubes or use them fresh in wraps that freeze well for quick meals.
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 other soft-bodied insects that damage lettuce
Carrots
Their deep taproot doesn't compete with shallow lettuce roots, and provides soil aeration
Radishes
Quick-growing companion that helps break up soil and can be harvested before lettuce needs space
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from lettuce
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps that control lettuce pests
Garlic
Natural fungicide properties help prevent downy mildew and other fungal diseases
Spinach
Similar growing requirements and harvest times, efficient use of garden space
Keep Apart
Sunflowers
Allelopathic compounds in roots inhibit lettuce germination and growth
Broccoli
Heavy feeder that competes for nutrients and creates too much shade for lettuce
Fennel
Strong allelopathic effects inhibit growth of most garden plants including lettuce
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346388)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Bred for uniformity and bolt resistance. Good tipburn tolerance.
Common Pests
Aphids, thrips, leafminers, slugs
Diseases
Downy mildew, lettuce mosaic virus, bacterial leaf spot