Cristabel is an open-pollinated lettuce that delivers serious crunch in just 55 days from transplants. This cool-season green grows as a compact bush, making it efficient in tight garden spaces, and germinates best between 60 and 70°F, so it's built for spring and fall planting. The seed arrives pelleted for easier handling, and with proper spacing of 6 inches between plants and 12 inches between rows, you'll get reliable heads in the Asteraceae family tradition.
—
—
?-?
?in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Extra-crunchy texture sets Cristabel apart as a textural complement to softer lettuce varieties. The pelleted seed makes handling straightforward, though it's best used within a year of purchase to maintain germination vigor. Its frost tolerance means you can stretch your harvest season into cooler weather, and the 55-day timeline from transplant to table keeps the growing window tight and manageable.
Cristabel is grown as a salad green, where its exceptional crunchiness shines in fresh preparations. The compact bush growth habit and predictable 55-day harvest window make it practical for home gardeners seeking reliable heads rather than continuous salad-mix cutting.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start Cristabel seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your transplant date. Maintain soil temperatures between 60 and 70°F for reliable germination. Seed germinates best below 70°F, so avoid warm propagation mats. Plants are ready to transplant when they develop their first true leaves, typically 3 to 4 weeks after sowing.
Transplant seedlings into the garden as soon as soil can be worked in spring, or 8 to 10 weeks before the first fall frost. Space plants 6 inches apart with 12 inches between rows. Cristabel's frost tolerance allows early spring planting when conditions are still cool. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before transplanting.
Cristabel reaches harvestable maturity 55 days after transplanting. Harvest when heads feel firm and compact to the touch. Cut the entire head at soil level with a sharp knife, or remove outer leaves for a longer production period. For best crunch and flavor, harvest in early morning when plants are fully hydrated.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.