VegetableLettuce
Lollo Bionda Lettuce
Lollo Bionda is an Italian leaf lettuce that thrives across a remarkable range of climates, from the coldest northern gardens (zone 2) to the hottest southern ones (zone 10). This annual grows to just 5-10 inches tall with strikingly ruffled, light green leaves that curl at the edges, creating an almost frilly texture. Ready to harvest in just 40-49 days, it's one of the quickest lettuces you can grow, and it handles both spring planting and fall sowing with equal ease. Even unheated winter greenhouses are no problem for this heat and cold-tolerant variety, making it genuinely adaptable to almost any gardener's conditions.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Consistent Moisture
Growth Stats
10 in
Height
Spacing
8
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
—
Zones
2-10
Size
10in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
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Highlights
The light green, deeply ruffled leaves with their characteristic curled edges give Lollo Bionda a distinctive appearance that stands out in any salad or garden bed. It survives both heat waves and frost without bolting prematurely, a rare combination that makes it one of the most climate-forgiving lettuces you can plant. The ability to grow it year-round, even in an unheated winter greenhouse, means this Italian heirloom can supply your kitchen from spring through fall in most regions.
Common Uses
Lollo Bionda is grown primarily as a salad green, with leaves harvested fresh and eaten raw. The tender, ruffled foliage works well in mixed green salads where its light color and delicate texture add visual interest and a soft mouthfeel. Leaves can be picked individually as needed or the entire head cut at once, making it flexible for both small daily harvests and larger kitchen prep sessions.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Sow seeds directly into garden beds or containers in spring or fall. Seeds can be sown in succession every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the growing season.
Harvesting
Lollo Bionda is ready to harvest 40-49 days after sowing. You can pick individual outer leaves once the plant is established, allowing the center to continue growing for additional harvests, or cut the entire head at soil level when leaves reach full size and ruffled texture. Morning harvest, when leaves are crisp and cool, yields the best quality greens.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Lactuca sativa
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Lactuca
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“Lollo Bionda originates from Italy, where it developed as a leaf lettuce suited to Mediterranean and European growing conditions. Its resilience in both warm and cold seasons reflects the practical needs of the regions where it evolved, valued by Italian gardeners for its reliable productivity across multiple planting seasons. The variety has maintained its identity through seed saving and cultivation across generations, earning its place in contemporary seed catalogs as a bridge between traditional European vegetable gardening and modern home cultivation.”