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How to Grow Butterhead Lettuce 'Divina'

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Butterhead Lettuce 'Divina'

Lactuca sativa var. capitata

vegetable

Divina is a butterhead lettuce variety known for its tender, buttery leaves and compact, well-formed heads. This early-maturing cultivar produces medium-sized heads with soft, pale green outer leaves and creamy yellow inner leaves that are sweet and delicate. It's ideal for home gardeners seeking quick-harvesting, high-quality salad greens.

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Example Butterhead Lettuce 'Divina' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Butterhead Lettuce 'Divina'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Butterhead Lettuce 'Divina'

    Around Jun 6

    ≈ 50 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Butterhead Lettuce 'Divina' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun to partial shade; 4-6 hours of direct sun daily. Afternoon shade in hot climates helps prevent bolting.
💧
Water: Consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply 1-2 times weekly, aiming for 1-1.5 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist; fluctuating moisture causes splitting and bitterness.
📏
Spacing: 8 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 50-65 days from transplant; 60-75 days from seed
🌱
Planting depth: 0.25 inches (seeds); transplants at soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining, rich loamy soil with high organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost Well-rotted manure Peat moss or coir Aged leaf mold

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-10; best results in cool seasons (spring and fall) across all zones

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling (0-3 weeks)

2-3 weeks

Tiny cotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves. Plants are delicate with thin stems and 2-4 small leaves.

Keep soil consistently moist. Provide 12-14 hours of light daily under grow lights if indoors. Maintain temperatures between 60-70°F. Thin seedlings to 2-3 inches apart if direct seeding.

2

Vegetative Growth (3-6 weeks)

3-4 weeks

Plant develops 6-12 true leaves and establishes a stronger root system. Leaves are thin, tender, and pale green. Head formation begins to initiate.

Thin or space plants to final spacing (8 inches). Maintain consistent moisture. Begin light fertilization with balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Monitor for bolting triggers (heat, drought, long days).

3

Head Formation (6-8 weeks)

2-3 weeks

Outer leaves thicken and spread; inner leaves begin to blanch and turn pale yellow. Head firms and compacts. Plant develops 12-18 leaves.

Continue consistent watering. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease. Provide afternoon shade if temperatures exceed 75°F. Keep fertilizing lightly.

4

Mature Head (8-10 weeks)

1-2 weeks

Tight, compact head with tender, buttery texture. Outer leaves are medium green; inner leaves are creamy yellow. Head feels full and compact when gently squeezed.

Reduce watering slightly but maintain even moisture. Stop fertilizing. Check daily for harvest readiness. Protect from excessive heat and direct sun if needed.

5

Harvest (10+ weeks)

Harvest window 1-3 weeks depending on conditions

Head reaches full maturity with optimal sweetness and texture. Plant may begin to bolt if temperatures warm or day length increases.

Harvest immediately when head feels firm. Cut at soil level early in morning. Use immediately or refrigerate for up to 10 days.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Radish Beet Carrot Strawberry Borage Dill Chives Parsley Nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

Cabbage Broccoli Cauliflower Fennel Parsnip

Common Pests

  • Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Strong water spray to dislodge. Introduce ladybugs. Use reflective mulches.

  • and

    Hand-pick at night. Beer traps. Copper tape barriers. Encourage ground beetles and other predators. Remove hiding places.

  • Rotate crops. Use resistant varieties if available. Insecticidal soap on soil. Beneficial nematodes. Diatomaceous earth.

  • Neem oil or insecticidal soap. Yellow sticky traps. Strong water spray. Reflective row covers.

  • Hand-pick. Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) spray. Row covers. Netting over plants.

  • Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Sulfur dust or neem oil. Remove affected leaves.

Uses

🍳

Fresh Salads & Tender Greens

Culinary

Divina's buttery texture and mild, sweet flavor make it ideal for fresh salads, delicate salad mixes, and as a tender base for composed salads. The tender leaves are perfect for eating raw and don't require cooking. [source]

🍳

Lettuce Wraps & Cups

Culinary

The supple, pliable leaves of butterhead lettuce work beautifully as wraps for Asian-inspired dishes, tacos, and vegetable cups, offering a crisp yet tender presentation. [source]

🏠

Quick-Maturing Cool Season Crop

Household

Divina's 50-65 day maturity makes it perfect for succession planting in spring and fall, allowing gardeners to achieve multiple harvests per season in many climates. [source]

🌿

Vitamins & Minerals

Nutritional

Like all lettuce, Divina provides folate, vitamin K, and vitamin A. The pale inner leaves are still nutrient-rich despite their delicate appearance. [source]

Harvest Tips

Harvest when the head feels firm and compact when gently squeezed, typically 50-65 days after transplanting. Cut the entire head at soil level with a sharp knife early in the morning when leaves are crisp and turgid. For prolonged harvests, pick outer leaves while allowing the center to continue developing. Use immediately or store in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper drawer for up to 10 days. Harvest before temperatures consistently exceed 75-80°F to maintain quality and prevent bolting.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Butterhead lettuce gets its name from the butter-like texture and pale yellow color of its inner leaves, which are naturally blanched by the outer leaves shading them from sunlight.
  • 🌱 Divina is a modern European breeding cultivar developed for commercial production and early maturity, making it more reliable for home gardeners than heirloom butterheads.
  • 🌱 Lettuce has been cultivated for over 2,500 years, with evidence of its use in ancient Egypt, though butterhead types were not developed until the 15th-16th centuries in Europe.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Bolt Cultivar Full Sun Partial Shade Transplant True Leaves
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