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A healthy small Bibb butterhead lettuce plant with soft sweet green leaves in a sunny garden

How to Grow Bibb Lettuce From Seed

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Updated July 2026

Bibb is the gourmet butterhead prized by cooks, forming a small, loose head of soft, sweet, buttery leaves. It grows quickly, stays compact enough for containers and tight spaces, and rewards you with delicate leaves perfect for elegant salads and lettuce wraps. Here is what makes this variety special and how to get the best from it.

This is the quick guide to Bibb. For the full step-by-step on starting seeds, sowing, feeding, and troubleshooting lettuce, see our complete guide to growing lettuce from seed.

Quick start

Sow seed about an eighth of an inch deep, barely covered, since lettuce needs light to sprout. Thin plants to roughly 6 to 8 inches apart as they grow. Bibb forms small, sweet loose heads in about 50 to 55 days. Cut the whole head at the base once it feels full, ideally in cool weather before it bolts.

Best tip

Bibb is a small, refined butterhead prized by cooks for its sweet flavor and delicate, buttery leaves. It grows fast and stays compact, so it fits neatly into containers and tight spaces. Sow it shallow, keep it cool and evenly watered, and harvest the whole little head once it feels full. In warm regions, grow it in fall and spring and give afternoon shade so the tender leaves stay sweet.

At a glance

Botanical nameLactuca sativa

Plant typeCool-season annual (butterhead)

USDA zones2 to 11 (grown as an annual)

SunFull sun to part shade

Days to maturity50 to 55 days

Height6 to 8 inches

Spacing6 to 8 inches apart

WaterEven and steady; keep moist

Uses

Bibb lettuce is the gourmet butterhead, forming a small, loose head of soft, sweet, buttery leaves. It is a favorite for elegant salads where the tender leaves are simply dressed, and its cupped shape makes it ideal for lettuce wraps and appetizers. Because the heads are small, plant a few for a steady supply.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Bibb lettuce take to grow?

Bibb is quick, forming small, sweet loose heads in about 50 to 55 days from sowing. You can harvest outer leaves even earlier for an ongoing supply.

What makes Bibb lettuce special?

Bibb forms a small, loose butterhead of soft, sweet, buttery leaves that cooks prize for delicate salads. Its compact size and tender texture set it apart from larger, crunchier types.

Can I grow Bibb lettuce in containers?

Yes, its small size and shallow roots make Bibb ideal for pots and window boxes. Use a container at least six inches deep, keep the soil evenly moist, and give it morning sun with afternoon shade in heat.

How do I know when Bibb lettuce is ready?

Harvest once the plant has formed a full, soft little head, usually around 50 to 55 days. Cut it at the base in the cool morning, and do not wait too long or warm weather can make it bolt.

Ready to grow your own? Bibb is one of the varieties you can grow from our lettuce and salad greens pack, alongside a whole salad garden. For the full step-by-step, see our complete lettuce growing guide linked at the top of this page.

Sale

Bibb Lettuce Seeds – Non-GMO HeirloomHeirloom, non-GMOHeirloom Bibb — tender, sweet loose-leaf heads.

Price$4.99Starting at$3.99

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Want more lettuce? These value packs pair Bibb with other varieties:

Sale

Lettuce & Greens Seeds Variety Pack – Non-GMO Heirloom22 lettuce & greensAn even bigger salad collection — 22 lettuces and greens for months of fresh leaves in every color and texture.

Price$12.99Starting at$9.99

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By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Maxim founded Organo Republic in 2017 and personally selects, tests, and grows the heirloom, non-GMO varieties the company offers. Under his leadership, Organo Republic was named Agri Business Review’s Top Non-GMO Seed Variety Solution 2026.