VegetableLettuce
Capitaine Lettuce
Capitaine is an impressively large butterhead lettuce that commands respect in the garden and on the plate. Over 60, 69 days, it develops tight 8, 10 inch heads of delicate, curly light-green leaves that earn it the title of captain among butterheads. Hardy across zones 2, 10 and thriving in full sun, this heirloom open-pollinated variety delivers both reliable production and exceptional flavor that justifies its generous size.
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
Moderate
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Highlights
This heirloom butterhead forms remarkably tight, substantial heads with soft, ruffled leaves that have a silky texture rare among lettuces. The light-green color conceals layers of tender leaves that taste as delicate as they feel. Capitaine truly lives up to its name: it's the standout performer in the butterhead class, delivering both visual presence and nuanced flavor that makes it worth the 62, 69 day wait.
Common Uses
Capitaine shines as a whole-head salad green, where its tender leaves and buttery texture are best appreciated fresh and minimally dressed. The substantial head size makes it practical for household use, yielding enough for multiple meals without waste. Its delicate leaves work beautifully in composed salads where individual leaves can be showcased, and its soft texture makes it far easier to tear by hand than crisp varieties.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Surface sow Capitaine seeds directly into the garden in cool weather, lightly pressing them into soil. Do not cover seeds deeply, as lettuce requires light to germinate. Space seedlings 8 inches apart with 18 inches between rows once they emerge.
Harvesting
Harvest Capitaine butterhead lettuce when heads feel firm and dense when gently squeezed, typically 60, 69 days after sowing. The head is ready when leaves are fully developed and tightly wrapped around the center. Cut heads at the base with a sharp knife in the early morning when leaves are most crisp and full of moisture.
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
“Capitaine is a traditional heirloom butterhead lettuce, preserved as an open-pollinated variety and offered by seed companies as a non-GMO, seed-saving friendly cultivar. Its journey reflects the broader movement to protect diverse lettuce varieties from industrial consolidation, ensuring home gardeners and small farms can continue growing and saving seeds from proven, flavorful lines.”