Bronze Mignonette brings a touch of Russian resilience to your lettuce patch, with distinctive bronze-tinted oakleaf foliage that has been gracing gardens since 1898. This compact butterhead variety from Siberia's harsh climate produces 8-inch wide heads in just 60 days, though some sources report harvest as early as 55 days. Hardy in zones 2-10, it thrives in both southern heat and northern cold, making it one of the most adaptable lettuces you can grow. The upright plants stay low and compact at 5-10 inches tall, perfect for tight spaces and container growing.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Consistent Moisture
Preferred Temp60-70°F
Growth Stats
10 in
Height
—
Width
8 in
Spacing
60–69
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual, Biennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
—
Zones
2-10
Size
10in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual, Biennial
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
What sets Bronze Mignonette apart is its remarkable temperature tolerance, inherited from its Siberian origins. The bronze streaking on medium green oakleaf-shaped leaves creates a beautiful contrast in the garden, while the butterhead texture delivers both crispness and buttery richness. This slow-bolting variety extends your growing season, producing well into winter while handling summer heat better than most lettuces thanks to its low profile. At just 8-inch spacing, it maximizes productivity in small gardens and containers.
Common Uses
Bronze Mignonette excels as a dual-purpose lettuce, offering both crispy crunch for sandwiches and buttery richness for elevated salads. The crumpled leaves provide substantial texture that holds up to hearty sandwich fillings, while the butterhead quality transforms simple salads into restaurant-worthy dishes. Creative gardeners use the sturdy leaves as low-carb burger wraps, taking advantage of both the flavor and the attractive bronze-streaked appearance that makes any dish more visually appealing.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Not Applicable (Harvested Before Bolting)
First Harvest
50-60 Days
Last Harvest
Determinate
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Sow seeds indoors 1/4 inch deep, planting a few seeds per hole for better germination rates. Seedlings should be ready for transplanting after about 15 days of growth.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings to full sun locations, spacing them 6-10 inches apart with rows 12-18 inches apart. Ensure soil is rich and well-drained before transplanting.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in rich, well-drained soil in full sun locations, planting a few seeds per hole for optimal germination.
Harvesting
Baby leaves can be harvested as early as 25 days for tender greens, while full 8-inch heads are ready in 60 days. When harvesting full heads, cut at the base leaving 1 inch of stem to encourage regrowth. The compact, upright growth habit makes identification of harvest-ready heads straightforward, and the slow-bolting nature provides a generous harvest window.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
EdibleNative Species
Scientific Classification
Lactuca ×morssii B.L. Rob. (pro sp.)
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Lactuca
Duration
Annual, Biennial
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (N)
History & Origin
“Bronze Mignonette carries the genetic heritage of Siberia's brutal winters, where it developed the cold hardiness that makes it so adaptable today. This heirloom variety has been cultivating gardens since 1898, representing over a century of seed saving and selection. From the harsh Russian steppes to American gardens, it embodies the journey of hardy vegetables that crossed continents with immigrants seeking better lives, carrying the flavors and resilience of their homeland in small packets of seeds.”