Lactuca sativa
Origin: Marburg, Slovenia
Improvement status: Cultivar
Seeds per packet: ~250
Germination tested 12/2023: 98%
Life cycle: Annual
This gorgeous red-dappled butter lettuce was introduced to the US seed trade by Southern Exposure Seed Exchange in 1987. It originated with a family in Marburg, Slovenia, when it was still part of Yugoslavia. This is a crunchy, succulent lettuce with a delicious flavor and striking appearance. The interior leaves are paler yellow-green but still kissed by red. Ready from seed in under 60 days with tender heads that are 10-12 inches wide. Our seed was grown by our friend Jennifer Williams of Wild Dreams Farm on Vashon Island, Washington State.
GROWING TIPS: Grow as any other lettuce. Seeds can be direct-sown after frost or started a few weeks earlier indoors. Give plants roughly a foot of space each. Lettuces can be succession-sown throughout spring and fall, but are liable to bolt pretty quickly when sown in summer.
