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Tom Thumb Dwarf Bibb Lettuce Seeds

Scientific name Lactuca sativa var. butteriana

About this variety

The miniature heirloom that proves good things come in small heads. Lactuca sativa ‘Tom Thumb’—also known as Dwarf Bibb—is a charming, compact butterhead lettuce forming perfect, tennis ball–sized heads of tender, buttery leaves. The outer leaves are pale green with a delicate blush at the tips, wrapping around a creamy yellow heart that melts on the tongue.Each head...

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At a glance

The facts most gardeners need first

View the full variety record
1000 minimum seeds per packet
  • Germination5-10 Days days · 45–60 °F
  • Maturity30-39 Days · 30-39 Days
  • SunFull sun
  • Support & spacingNo-Support · space 6 in · rows 12 in
  • Growth habitRosette · Annual · 4-6 in tall
  • Best usequick harvests, succession sowing, containers, cool seasons, and fresh greens
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.
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.

Seed-starting profileDifficulty, preparation, reliability, and timing Open

Seed success profile

Gardener experience Very beginner-friendly
Germination difficulty Very straightforward
Preparation before sowing
Use clean seed-starting conditions, the listed sowing depth and temperature, and steady moisture without saturation
Germination speed
5-10 Days
Growing complexity
Quick crop that rewards cool conditions, succession sowing, thinning, and steady moisture
Patience and timing
30-39 Days
Is this seed a good match for your experience?
Expected germination
5-10 Days
Germination temperature
45–60 °F
Stratification
Not normally required by the current record
Scarification
Not normally required by the current record
Pre-soaking
Not normally required by the current record
Light during germination
Cover to the recorded depth; provide strong light immediately after emergence
Germination pattern
Usually reliable when seed is stored well and temperature, depth, moisture, and preparation match the recorded requirements
Transplant sensitivity
Use the crop-specific starting method and minimize unnecessary root disturbance
Starting method
Cataloged as suitable for direct sowing; follow the product-specific timing and depth.
Best chance of success
For Tom Thumb Dwarf Bibb Lettuce Seeds, control temperature and moisture at sowing, label the start date, and compare emergence with the complete recorded germination window before reseeding.
Planning window

Plan around 5-10 Daysat45–60 °F. Keep moisture, light, and preparation aligned with the sowing instructions below.

Slow germination is not automatically failed germination.

Maintain the listed temperature, moisture, light, and treatment conditions for the full expected window. Some seed lots emerge gradually rather than all at once.

1 Beginner-friendly 2 One extra step 3 Some experience helpful 4 Patient growers 5 Advanced propagation

Seed age, storage, sowing depth, moisture, temperature, light, local conditions, and aftercare can affect results. Last reviewed July 2026.

Garden tools

Need a plan for your space?

Open the garden-fit planner or soil calculator only when you need them.

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

About this variety

What to expect from Tom Thumb Dwarf Bibb Lettuce Seeds

Tom Thumb Dwarf Bibb Lettuce Seeds produce miniature butterhead lettuce forming small, sweet heads ideal for container gardens and single servings.

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

The miniature heirloom that proves good things come in small heads. Lactuca sativa ‘Tom Thumb’—also known as Dwarf Bibb—is a charming, compact butterhead lettuce forming perfect, tennis ball–sized heads of tender, buttery leaves. The outer leaves are pale green with a delicate blush at the tips, wrapping around a creamy yellow heart that melts on the tongue.

Each head grows only 4–5 inches across, making it ideal for small gardens, containers, and succession planting. Its crisp yet velvety texture lends itself beautifully to single-serving salads or fresh wraps. Despite its dainty size, ‘Tom Thumb’ stands up well to cool spring and autumn weather, maintaining sweetness even after light frost.

First recorded in England in the mid-1800s, ‘Tom Thumb’ became a Victorian favorite for its refined flavor and perfectly proportioned heads fit for table presentation. Today it remains a gardener’s delight—an old-world lettuce that captures the essence of heirloom charm, culinary elegance, and practicality in one small, perfect package.

Minimum Seed Count: 1,000 seeds

View all growing and care factsBotanical identity, timing, climate, soil, spacing, mature size, and crop-specific details

Plant identity

Minimum seed count 1000 seeds
Seed product profile Leafy green
Scientific name Lactuca sativa var. butteriana
Also known as Lettuce, Lettuce Seeds - Tom Thumb Dwarf Bibb
Life cycle Annual
Botanical family Asteraceae
Reproductive type Open-Pollinated (OP)
Heritage qualifiers Non-GMO
Native to the United States Domesticated Plant
Domestication note Mediterranean Basin

Seed success and gardener experience

Gardener experience Very beginner-friendlyLevel 1 of 5
Germination difficulty Very straightforwardLevel 1 of 5
Preparation before sowing Use clean seed-starting conditions, the listed sowing depth and temperature, and steady moisture without saturation
Stratification Not normally required by the current record
Scarification Not normally required by the current record
Pre-soaking Not normally required by the current record
Light during germination Cover to the recorded depth; provide strong light immediately after emergence
Germination pattern Usually reliable when seed is stored well and temperature, depth, moisture, and preparation match the recorded requirements
Growing complexity Quick crop that rewards cool conditions, succession sowing, thinning, and steady moisture
Transplant sensitivity Use the crop-specific starting method and minimize unnecessary root disturbance
First harvest or bloom 30-39 Days
Best chance of success For Tom Thumb Dwarf Bibb Lettuce Seeds, control temperature and moisture at sowing, label the start date, and compare emergence with the complete recorded germination window before reseeding.

Timing and climate

Days to maturity 30-39 Days
Germination 5-10 Days
Germination temperature 45–60 °F
Planting season Spring
Bloom season Spring
Frost tolerance Hardy
Sunlight Full sun
Water needs Moderate

Site, soil, and space

Soil type Loamy
Preferred soil pH 6.5–7.0
Seed depth 1/8 in
Plant spacing 6 in
Row spacing 12 in
Mature height 4-6 in
Growth habit Rosette
Support needed No-Support
Suitable growing locations In-ground bed, Raised bed, Greenhouse, High Tunnel, Containers, Community garden, Hydroponic, Indoor growing, Vertical

Crop-specific details

Flavor profile First recorded in England in the mid-1800s, ‘Tom Thumb’ became a Victorian favorite for its refined flavor and perfectly proportioned heads fit for table presentation.
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 Tom Thumb Dwarf Bibb Lettuce Seeds fit your garden?

Check cool-season timing, succession plans, shade, moisture, and harvest stage.

Questions for this leafy green seed
Seed-starting fit and patience
Recorded product profileVery beginner-friendlyVery straightforwardRead why
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 range6.5–7.0
Water needsModerate
LightFull sun

Use a current laboratory soil test

Soil-test interpreter

Compare your report with this product's listed pH target: 6.5–7.0.

This tool interprets values you enter; it does not replace laboratory or Cooperative Extension amendment rates. Soil test methods and nutrient recommendations vary by region.

Full growing record

Open only the section you need

How to start Tom Thumb Dwarf Bibb Lettuce Seeds from seedPreparation, timing, depth, germination, transplanting, spacing, and early care

Recorded germination plan

Expected germination
5-10 Days
Germination temperature
45–60 °F

Complete sowing and planting guidance

How to sow and plant Lettuce: plant in prepared, well-drained soil after the recommended seasonal window for your area. Keep the seedbed evenly moist during germination, thin seedlings to the listed spacing, and mulch established plants to conserve soil moisture.
How to grow this specific varietyLight, water, fertility, support, spacing, airflow, crop behavior, and season-long care

Complete growing guide

How to grow Lettuce: choose a site with the listed sunlight and soil requirements. Water consistently, avoid overcrowding, and monitor plants for pests, disease, and nutrient stress. Harvest at the proper stage for best flavor and seed quality.

Practical field and garden tips

Additional tips for Lettuce: succession plant when appropriate, label varieties clearly, and keep good garden notes on germination, vigor, flavor, and harvest timing so you can compare varieties season to season.
Harvest, storage, uses, and benefitsWhen and how to harvest, ways to use the crop, storage, culinary value, habitat value, and garden roles

Uses and benefits

Uses and benefits of Lettuce: grow for home gardens, seedkeeping, fresh harvests, culinary use, and biodiversity in the garden. Exact use depends on the variety and harvest stage.
Seed saving and carrying the variety forwardPollination, isolation, selection, harvest, cleaning, drying, and storage
Seed saving for Lettuce: select healthy, true-to-type plants, allow seed to mature fully before harvest, dry seed thoroughly, and store in a cool, dry, labeled container. Isolate varieties as needed to prevent unwanted crossing.
Problems and answersPests, diseases, troubleshooting, practical response, and product-specific questions

Complete pest and problem guide

Common pests and problems for Lettuce: monitor for chewing insects, sap-sucking insects, fungal leaf spots, damping off, poor germination from cold or dry soil, and stress from inconsistent watering. Use crop rotation, spacing, mulch, and good airflow to reduce pressure.

Questions gardeners ask

Frequently Asked Questions — Lettuce

Q: When should I plant Lettuce?
A: Follow the planting season listed on this product page and adjust for your local frost dates.

Q: How deep should I sow the seeds?
A: Use the seed depth listed in the growing facts.

Q: Can I save seed from this variety?
A: Open-pollinated varieties can generally be saved when properly isolated and selected; hybrids may not grow true to type.
History, provenance, and cultural contextWhat is documented, what is reported, what remains uncertain, and how the variety reached gardeners

Scientific name: Lactuca sativa var. butteriana

Plant and variety history

Lettuce Seeds - Tom Thumb Dwarf Bibb belongs to a plant lineage long associated with Mediterranean and Old World garden agriculture. It was selected over generations for kitchen, market, ornamental, or herbal value and remains useful in modern home gardens.

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Customer experience

Reviews for Tom Thumb Dwarf Bibb Lettuce Seeds

Customer Reviews

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Heather Tikkanen (United States)

They are growing well and time will tell how they turn out.