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Butter King Lettuce Seeds

Scientific name Lactuca sativa

About this variety

Butter King makes a large, pale green Boston-type head with tender leaves and a pleasantly crisp bite. Its generous size is useful when a whole head is wanted for family salads, sandwiches or lettuce cups. Vigorous plants hold their mild flavor well in cool weather; steady moisture helps keep the leaves tender. Harvest as the head fills, before...

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Alliance of Native Seedkeepers  |  SKU: LT33
$200 USD

At a glance

The facts most gardeners need first

View the full variety record
1000 minimum seeds per packet
Germination time

5-14 days at 55-70 F seed-zone soil temperature

  • Germination
    5-14 daysa seed-zone soil temperature of 55-70 F
  • Sun
    Full - Partial Sun
  • Support and spacing
    No support needed · space 12 in · rows 18 in
  • Growth habit
    Rosette · Annual
  • Planting season
    Spring/Fall · blooms Spring/Summer · Semi-Hardy
Secure checkout Details
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Triple-tested seed qualityRegular quality and germination checks support every packet.

We regularly test seed quality and germination as lots move through storage and packing. We stand behind the seed we send and want customers to contact us when a packet does not perform as reasonably expected.

1-year seed warrantyCoverage begins on the date of purchase.

When properly stored, planted, and cared for, we guarantee reasonable germination and true-to-type growth for one year from the date of purchase. Conditions outside our control—including extreme weather, pests, unsuitable storage, and gardener error—are excluded. Contact us when something is not right so we can review the situation and work toward a replacement, refund, or another fair resolution.

Non-GMO / BE seed policyWe do not buy or sell genetically engineered or bioengineered seed.

Every seed variety we sell is non-GMO.

USDA’s National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard defines bioengineered foods as containing detectable genetic material modified through in vitro recombinant DNA methods in ways not achievable through conventional breeding or found in nature.

  • Hybrid means parent lines were conventionally crossed; hybrid does not mean GMO.
  • Heirloom and open-pollinated describe how a variety is maintained and reproduced.
  • Organic certification is separate and is shown only when verified for the individual product.

Read how we define heirloom, hybrid, and GMO/BE seed · USDA BE Standard

Packed in Colerain, North CarolinaPrepared in our seed room for gardens across the country.

Seeds are packed and shipped from Colerain, North Carolina. Our packets use forestry-certified paper, and we use recyclable paper mailers where appropriate. AONSK is also a 1% for the Planet partner while continuing to reduce waste in packing and fulfillment.

Garden tools

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Use the garden-fit planner and soil calculator to turn the recorded growing facts into a practical plan.

Open garden tools Uses this product’s recorded growing information. Local weather and garden conditions may vary.

Variety field guide

What to expect from Butter King Lettuce Seeds

Butter King makes a large, pale green Boston-type head with tender leaves and a pleasantly crisp bite.

Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record

Butter King makes a large, pale green Boston-type head with tender leaves and a pleasantly crisp bite. Its generous size is useful when a whole head is wanted for family salads, sandwiches or lettuce cups. Vigorous plants hold their mild flavor well in cool weather; steady moisture helps keep the leaves tender. Harvest as the head fills, before leaves toughen or a flower stalk begins to rise.

Large, tender butterheads for a generous salad harvest.

Growing facts

  • Botanical name: Lactuca sativa
  • Maturity or display: 60-80 days
  • Mature size: Size varies with harvest stage; allow the stated plant spacing
  • Spacing: 12 in between plants; rows 18 in

About the variety

Butter King is an open-pollinated Boston-type lettuce grown for large, pale green heads. Tender leaves and a pleasantly crisp bite make it useful for salads, sandwiches and lettuce cups.

Starting seed

Sow on the surface or barely cover, about 1/8 in., in spring or late summer. Keep moist at 55-70 F; allow 5-14 days to sprout. Thin to 12 in. apart, rows 18 in. apart. Choose fertile soil and sun to light shade.

Care through the season

Maintain steady moisture and avoid crowding. Shade cloth can moderate strong afternoon heat, but slow-bolting varieties still flower eventually. Make small repeat sowings for a steady supply. Lettuce seed may germinate poorly in hot soil; start in a cooler spot when necessary.

Harvest and use

Pick outside leaves as needed or cut developed heads in 60-80 days. Refrigerate promptly; harvest before bolting. For seed, let selected plants flower, isolate varieties and collect the fluffy, dry seedheads.

Saving seed

Lettuce is largely self-pollinating, though crossing is possible. Keep healthy plants with the desired leaf type, allow seed stalks to flower, and separate varieties when purity matters. Collect ripe seedheads as their white fluff appears. Dry thoroughly, clean and store cool and dry.

Common problems

Inspect for aphids and slugs. Keep foliage and crowns from staying wet overnight, avoid waterlogged soil and maintain airflow. Heat, long days and water stress promote bolting or bitter leaves; harvest promptly and plan a new cool-season sowing.

Frequently asked questions

What distinguishes this variety?

Butter King makes a large, pale green Boston-type head with tender leaves and a pleasantly crisp bite.

When should I harvest?

Pick outside leaves as needed or cut developed heads in 60-80 days. Refrigerate promptly; harvest before bolting. For seed, let selected plants flower, isolate varieties and collect the fluffy, dry seedheads.

How can I avoid poor quality?

Maintain steady moisture and avoid crowding. Shade cloth can moderate strong afternoon heat, but slow-bolting varieties still flower eventually. Make small repeat sowings for a steady supply. Lettuce seed may germinate poorly in hot soil; start in a cooler spot when necessary.

Garden toolsOpen the garden-fit planner, planting-window questions, or soil calculator only when useful

Uses this product’s recorded growing information. Local weather, soil, and garden conditions may vary.

Garden-fit planning for this variety

Will Butter King Lettuce Seeds fit your garden?

Check cool-season timing, succession plans, shade, moisture, and harvest stage. Start with the essentials, then open only the detail groups that matter to you.

Rules-based · no AI · optional answers

Add an optional ZIP code and planting date for a broad frost-window check.Use local forecasts and measured soil temperature for final planting decisions.
1Essential fitTiming, light, and space
2Temperature and exposureOptional microclimate detail
3Soil, drainage, and waterRoot-zone readiness
4Questions for this leafy green seedCrop-specific decisions
5Seed-starting fit and patienceMatch the propagation work
Soil test, pH, drainage, and amendment calculator Have a laboratory soil report? Enter pH, nutrients, texture, bed size, and site observations here. Open soil tools
Recorded soil typeLoamy
Recorded pH range6.0–6.5
Water needsModerate
LightFull - Partial Sun

Laboratory report interpreter

Soil readiness for Butter King Lettuce Seeds

Lactuca sativa

Enter only the values your report provides. The result compares them with this crop’s recorded needs and keeps laboratory recommendations authoritative.

Core report valuesStart here
Advanced laboratory valuesOptional method-aware detail

Full growing record

Complete growing and seedkeeping record

Starting and plantingSeed preparation, sowing, germination, transplanting, spacing, and early establishment
Sow on the surface or barely cover, about 1/8 in., in spring or late summer. Keep moist at 55-70 F; allow 5-14 days to sprout. Thin to 12 in. apart, rows 18 in. apart. Choose fertile soil and sun to light shade.

Maintain steady moisture and avoid crowding. Shade cloth can moderate strong afternoon heat, but slow-bolting varieties still flower eventually. Make small repeat sowings for a steady supply. Lettuce seed may germinate poorly in hot soil; start in a cooler spot when necessary.
Season-long growing guideWater, fertility, support, weather response, pollination, containers, and care through maturity
Sow on the surface or barely cover, about 1/8 in., in spring or late summer. Keep moist at 55-70 F; allow 5-14 days to sprout. Thin to 12 in. apart, rows 18 in. apart. Choose fertile soil and sun to light shade.
Harvest, storage, and usesRecognizing maturity, harvesting cleanly, handling and storage, kitchen uses, and garden roles

Harvest and storage

Pick outside leaves as needed or cut developed heads in 60-80 days. Refrigerate promptly; harvest before bolting. For seed, let selected plants flower, isolate varieties and collect the fluffy, dry seedheads.

Lettuce is largely self-pollinating, though crossing is possible. Keep healthy plants with the desired leaf type, allow seed stalks to flower, and separate varieties when purity matters. Collect ripe seedheads as their white fluff appears. Dry thoroughly, clean and store cool and dry.

Uses and garden roles

Butter King makes a large, pale green Boston-type head with tender leaves and a pleasantly crisp bite. Its generous size is useful when a whole head is wanted for family salads, sandwiches or lettuce cups. Vigorous plants hold their mild flavor well in cool weather; steady moisture helps keep the leaves tender. Harvest as the head fills, before leaves toughen or a flower stalk begins to rise.

Pick outside leaves as needed or cut developed heads in 60-80 days. Refrigerate promptly; harvest before bolting. For seed, let selected plants flower, isolate varieties and collect the fluffy, dry seedheads.
Seed savingSelection, pollination, isolation, full maturity, cleaning, drying, labeling, and storage
Lettuce is largely self-pollinating, though crossing is possible. Keep healthy plants with the desired leaf type, allow seed stalks to flower, and separate varieties when purity matters. Collect ripe seedheads as their white fluff appears. Dry thoroughly, clean and store cool and dry.
Pests, diseases, and troubleshootingPrevention, diagnosis, environmental disorders, common damage, and first-response checks
Inspect for aphids and slugs. Keep foliage and crowns from staying wet overnight, avoid waterlogged soil and maintain airflow. Heat, long days and water stress promote bolting or bitter leaves; harvest promptly and plan a new cool-season sowing.
Frequently asked questionsDecision-focused answers that supplement the detailed guides above
What distinguishes this variety?
Butter King makes a large, pale green Boston-type head with tender leaves and a pleasantly crisp bite.

When should I harvest?
Pick outside leaves as needed or cut developed heads in 60-80 days. Refrigerate promptly; harvest before bolting. For seed, let selected plants flower, isolate varieties and collect the fluffy, dry seedheads.

How can I avoid poor quality?
Maintain steady moisture and avoid crowding. Shade cloth can moderate strong afternoon heat, but slow-bolting varieties still flower eventually. Make small repeat sowings for a steady supply. Lettuce seed may germinate poorly in hot soil; start in a cooler spot when necessary.
History and provenanceBotanical identity, cultivar history, regional or cultural context, uncertainty, and source records

Scientific name: Lactuca sativa

Butter King is an open-pollinated Boston-type lettuce grown for large, pale green heads. Tender leaves and a pleasantly crisp bite make it useful for salads, sandwiches and lettuce cups.

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