Description
Tom Thumb Dwarf Lettuce is an unusual compact butterhead/Bibb type that forms small tender heads about the size of a baseball. It is quick, frost hardy, and especially useful for pots, small raised beds, wedge salads, baby greens, and cool-season harvests when full-size lettuce would take more space.
Why Grow It
- Miniature butterhead/Bibb heads are ideal for single-serving wedge salads and small-space gardens.
- Compact plants work especially well in pots, planters, raised beds, and close-spaced baby-green rows.
- Harvest baby greens in a few weeks or let plants mature into full dwarf heads in about 55-60 days.
- Cool-weather lettuce for spring and fall in cold climates, and fall/winter/spring crops in zones 9+.
- Includes 300 seeds with 7-10 day germination guidance.
Growing Information
| Botanical name | Lactuca sativa |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Cool-season annual leafy vegetable |
| Mature height | Compact baseball-sized butterhead heads, usually about 4-6 in. across |
| Light | Full sun in cool weather; light afternoon shade in warm spells |
| Bloom or harvest window | Baby greens in a few weeks; compact full heads in about 55-60 days |
| Seed count | 300 seeds |
| Leaf color | Bright green butterhead rosettes with tender cupped leaves |
| Sowing advice | Direct sow or transplant while temperatures are at or below 80 F. Press seed into moist soil and cover with only about 1/8 in. of fine soil; keep evenly moist and avoid hot germination conditions. |
| Spacing | 4-6 in. apart for cut-and-come-again baby greens; 6-12 in. apart for compact full heads |
| Germination | 7-10 days at about 60-80 F; germination is poor above 80 F |
Best For
- wedge salads
- container lettuce
- baby greens
- spring and fall planting
- winter crops in zones 9+
- raised beds
- small-space kitchen gardens
Packet Details
Includes 300 seeds. Store seeds cool, dry, and dark until sowing. For baby greens, snip leaves near the base and keep the planting evenly moist so it can regrow.
FAQ
How big are Tom Thumb lettuce heads?
Tom Thumb forms compact butterhead heads about the size of a baseball, making it excellent for containers and small salads.
Can I grow it for baby greens?
Yes. Sow closer together, about 4-6 in. apart, then snip leaves near the base when they reach the size you like. Plants can regrow for additional cuts.
What temperature does lettuce need?
Tom Thumb prefers cool weather. Sow when temperatures are at or below 80 F; germination becomes poor in hotter conditions.
Is Tom Thumb lettuce good in pots?
Yes. The dwarf heads are one of its best features, making it a strong choice for pot planting, small planters, and compact kitchen gardens.
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