Lettuce Butterhead Buttercrunch Seeds

LETTUCE ‘Buttercrunch’ Butterhead Seeds

Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa

• Classic butterhead lettuce with a mild, sweet flavour.
• Compact heads with soft, buttery leaves and a crunchy heart.
• Heat-tolerant and bolt-resistant, reliable in Australian gardens.

Product Description

Butterhead ‘Buttercrunch’ Lettuce is one of the most dependable lettuce varieties for home and market gardeners alike. Its compact, rounded heads form soft, buttery outer leaves that surround a crisp, sweet core. Known for its excellent texture and flavour, this variety is prized in salads, wraps, and sandwiches, where it adds a refreshing crunch without bitterness.

Unlike many lettuce varieties that quickly bolt to seed in warm weather, ‘Buttercrunch’ offers superior heat tolerance and strong bolt resistance. This makes it a reliable choice for Australian gardeners across temperate, subtropical, and cool regions. With proper care, it can be sown for much of the year, providing a steady supply of tender leaves.

Plant Details

• Type: Butterhead Lettuce
• Growth Habit: Compact, rounded heads
• Height: 20–25 cm
• Spread: 25–30 cm
• Days to Maturity: 55–65 days for full heads, earlier for baby leaves
• Flavour: Mild, sweet, buttery with a crisp heart
• Pollination: Self-pollinating, though usually harvested before flowering
• Best Use: Fresh salads, sandwiches, and cut-and-come-again harvesting

Sowing Information

• Sowing Depth: 3–5 mm
• Germination Time: 7–14 days at 10–22°C
• Spacing: 20–25 cm between plants; 30 cm between rows
• Position: Full sun to part shade in fertile, well-drained soil
• Soil: Rich, organic matter improves leaf tenderness and yield
• Feeding: Apply compost, liquid seaweed, or a balanced fertiliser fortnightly

Growing Tips

Buttercrunch Lettuce performs best in consistent, moist soil. Water regularly to prevent plants from becoming stressed, which can cause bitterness or early bolting. Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds.

For continuous harvest, sow seeds every 2–3 weeks in cooler months. In warmer areas, choose a partially shaded spot to protect plants from excessive heat. This variety is more forgiving than many other lettuces, making it an excellent choice for beginner gardeners as well as experienced growers.

Common Pests & Problems

• Snails & Slugs: Protect young seedlings with organic pellets or barriers.
• Aphids: Rinse off with a strong jet of water or attract beneficial insects like ladybirds.
• Bitter Leaves: Usually caused by irregular watering or heat stress — harvest regularly to maintain tenderness.

Harvest

Harvesting begins from 6–8 weeks after sowing. You can pick individual leaves as needed (cut-and-come-again) or harvest the whole head when firm and mature at 55–65 days. Regular picking of the outer leaves encourages new growth, ensuring a longer harvest period.

For the freshest flavour, pick in the cool of the morning. Store in the fridge inside a sealed container or bag, where it will keep for up to a week. Buttercrunch is best enjoyed fresh, retaining its tender texture and sweetness straight from the garden.

Culinary Uses

Buttercrunch Lettuce is exceptionally versatile in the kitchen. Its tender leaves are perfect for salads, adding a mild, buttery taste that pairs well with stronger greens and vinaigrettes. The crisp heart adds crunch to sandwiches and wraps, while the larger leaves make excellent cups for Asian-style lettuce wraps. Because of its mild sweetness, it’s also a favourite with children and those who prefer delicate-tasting greens.

Click here for 15 quick, fun and tasty recipes!

When to Sow Lettuce in Australia

Quick Growing Guide