What are the sun requirements for Lactuca sativa 'Buttercrunch'?

Lactuca sativa 'Buttercrunch' requires Part Sun.

How much water does Lactuca sativa 'Buttercrunch' need?

Lactuca sativa 'Buttercrunch' has Medium water needs.

Lactuca sativa 'Buttercrunch'

Buttercrunch Lettuce

Cultivar developed in the US; AAS 1963; the species L. sativa is domesticated from L. serriola, native to the Mediterranean and western Asia

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height6-8 inches (15-20 cm)

Width6-8 inches (15-20 cm)

Maturity1 years

Key Features

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Lactuca sativa 'Buttercrunch' is Buttercrunch lettuce, a compact cool-season annual forming a loose rosette head 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) tall and wide. Thick buttery-textured medium green outer leaves transition to pale yellow-green inner leaves. A butterhead (bibb) type with a mild sweet flavor. In the daisy family (Asteraceae). The 1963 All-America Selections (AAS) winner — one of the most widely grown butterhead cultivars. Cool-season crop: bolts (sends up a bitter flower stalk) when temperatures exceed 75°F (24°C) for extended periods. Sow in early spring (2-4 weeks before last frost) and again in late summer for a fall harvest. Tolerates light frost to 28°F (-2°C). Harvest the entire head at 55-65 days, or use cut-and-come-again on outer leaves starting at 30-35 days. The genus name Lactuca (Latin: milk) references the milky latex sap from cut stems. Slugs, aphids, and rabbits are the primary pests. Direct-sow or start indoors 4 weeks early. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic (edible crop). Full sun to partial shade. Annual. Growth rate is fast.

Native Range

Cultivar developed in the US (AAS 1963). The species L. sativa is domesticated from L. serriola, native to the Mediterranean and western Asia.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and containers of at least 1 gallon (4 L). Cool-season crop — spring and fall harvests. AAS 1963. Cut-and-come-again or full head harvest. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Annual.

How to Identify

Identified by a compact rosette of thick buttery-textured medium green outer leaves with pale yellow-green inner leaves. A butterhead (bibb) type. The buttery leaf texture and the loose head form distinguish Buttercrunch. AAS 1963. In Asteraceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 8"

Width/Spread6" - 8"

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

The plant bolts (flowers) in sustained heat above 75 degrees F (24 degrees C) — small yellow composite flowers on a 18-24 inch (45-60 cm) stalk. Bolting makes the leaves bitter. Flowering is undesirable in a leaf crop.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Small yellow composite flowers on a bolting stalk 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) — the plant bolts (flowers) in heat, making the leaves bitter

Foliage Description

Medium green outer leaves transitioning to pale yellow-green inner leaves; smooth, thick, buttery texture

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

55-65 days from seed to full head; 30-35 days for baby leaf harvest

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun to partial shade. Moist rich soil pH 6.0-7.0. Cool-season crop — bolts in heat above 75 degrees F (24 degrees C). Sow spring and late summer. Tolerates light frost (28 degrees F / -2 degrees C). Slugs, aphids, and rabbits. Non-toxic. Annual.

Pruning

Harvest the entire head at maturity (55-65 days) or harvest outer leaves by cut-and-come-again starting at 30-35 days. Remove the bolting stalk if it appears — the leaves become bitter.