Botanical Interests
Marvel of Four Seasons Butterhead Lettuce Seeds
Best seeds for reliable, high quality home grown lettuce.
This 1800s French heirloom, also known as Merveille de Quatre Saisons, offers tender, sweet leaves that transition from green at the base to a striking cranberry-red. Its crinkly rosette formation resembles a flower, making it as attractive as it is delicious. To prevent bitterness, especially during warmer weather, ensure consistent moisture. The rosettes grow to 8-12 inches in diameter, making them well-suited for larger containers. This variety is frost-tolerant and can be grown in spring, fall, and even winter in mild climates, providing a continuous harvest.
$3.49
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
3240
/ 6505
#3240 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-67%
Below average
Days to Maturity
55
/ days
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking continuous fresh lettuce harvests
- Home cooks desiring gourmet-quality salad greens
- Novice gardeners and experienced growers alike
Who should skip it
- Apartment dwellers or those with limited growing areas
- Gardeners preferring low-maintenance, pest-resistant crops
- Impatient growers or those needing immediate produce
Performance breakdown
Seasonal Versatility
Exceptional frost tolerance allows for harvests across three distinct growing seasons.
Visual Appeal
Striking cranberry-red tips transform a standard garden bed into a display.
Container Adaptability
Compact rosette formation thrives perfectly in larger pots and patio containers.
Flavor Profile
Tender, sweet leaves provide a sophisticated upgrade to everyday garden salads.
Germination Reliability
Standard five to ten day emergence window ensures predictable garden planning.
Maintenance Ease
Consistent moisture is required to prevent bitterness during warmer weather cycles.
Key Specs
Days to Maturity
55 days
Type
Butterhead Lettuce
Hardiness
Frost-tolerant annual
Exposure
Full sun to part shade
Plant Dimensions
8"–12" wide, 6"–8" tall
Attributes
Frost Tolerant
Days to Emerge
5–10 days
Seed Depth
Surface to ⅛"
Features
- Attractive Cranberry-Red Tipped Leaves
- Tender and Sweet Flavor
- Frost Tolerant Variety
- Suitable for Large Containers
- Heirloom French Variety
- Non-GMO Project Verified
What customers say
Customers consistently express high satisfaction with these lettuce seeds, frequently commending their exceptional quality and ease of cultivation. Gardeners often highlight the impressive germination rates and the vigorous, healthy growth of the plants. This reliability ensures a bountiful harvest of tender, flavorful butterhead lettuce, making the growing process enjoyable and rewarding for both novice and experienced growers. The product delivers a dependable and delightful gardening experience.
Know before you buy
Yes, this variety is well-suited for containers. Because the rosettes grow 8 to 12 inches wide, ensure you use a pot that provides enough space for the plant to spread.
Butterhead lettuce can turn bitter if it gets too hot or dries out. To maintain a sweet flavor, keep the soil consistently moist and consider providing some shade during the hottest parts of the day.
Yes, Marvel of Four Seasons is known for its hardiness. It can handle light frosts, making it an excellent choice for extending your harvest into the cooler spring and fall months.
You can expect to harvest these heads approximately 55 days after sowing. The seeds typically emerge within 5 to 10 days of planting.
Plant a group of three seeds every 6 inches. Once the seedlings reach about half an inch tall, thin them out so that only one plant remains every 6 inches.
This variety thrives in full sun to part shade. In warmer climates or during the peak of summer, providing partial shade will help prevent the plants from bolting or becoming bitter.
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$3