---
title: Butter Crunch Butterhead Lettuce
created: 2026-05-24
updated: 2026-05-25
type: entity
tags: [leafy-greens, heirloom, open-pollinated, chicken-friendly, goat-friendly, rabbit-friendly]
sources: [raw/articles/seedvault-home-page.md]
---
# Butter Crunch Butterhead Lettuce
## Overview
Rosette heads averaging 4.5" diameter with dark green and reddish leaves with yellow-white centers. Good heat tolerance with soft, buttery leaves forming a compact head. Ideal for salads, quick-growing in cool weather.
## Key Details
- **Category:** Leafy Greens
- **Price:** $3.12
- **Variety Type:** Open-pollinated
## Growing Instructions
### Sowing
Direct sow when soil temps reach ~35°F or as soon as soil can be worked. Seeds go dormant above 75°F. Sow 1/8-1/4" deep in rich soil (pH 6.0-7.0), full sun. Thin to 8-12" apart in rows 1-2' apart. Companion: onions, cucumbers, carrots.
### Germination
7-10 days at 35-75°F
### Care
Very shallow roots need adequate moisture to stay tender. Keep soil evenly moist. Mulch to maintain moisture and control weeds.
### Harvest
45-60 days. Cut whole heads or outer leaves for prolonged harvest.
## Soil & Conditions
- **pH:** 6.0-7.0, rich compost, consistent moisture.
## Seed Storage
- **Viability:** 2-3 years. Seeds tiny — store in airtight containers below 40°F.
- **Pre-treatment:** None required. Can germinate at 35°F.
## Yield
- **Per Plant:** 1 head per plant
- **Harvest Season:** Spring and fall
- **Note:** Cut-and-come-again harvest, 3-4 cuts per plant
Allow to bolt (flower stalk). Bag individual heads to prevent cross-pollination. Seeds mature at tips first, work downward. Harvest when brown and dry.
## Pest & Disease
Slugs (beer traps, diatomaceous earth), aphids (blast with water), tipburn (ensure calcium, consistent watering), damping off (improve drainage).
## Harvest & Preservation
Cut heads or outer leaves. Store wrapped in damp paper towel, refrigerated 1-2 weeks.
## Companion Planting
### Good Companions
- **[[white-bunching-onion]], [[pickling-cucumber]], [[scarlett-nantes-carrot]]** — Shallow roots share space well
### Part of: Salad Bowl
- See [[companion-planting]] for full combination details
## Related
- [[seedvault-market]]
- [[grow-guides]]
- [[seed-catalog]]