Lactuca sativa ‘Pirat’
‘Pirat’ lettuce features ruffled leaves with brown pebbling and burgundy tips, but this butterhead type isn’t just a feast for the eyes.
It has some of the most flavorful leaves of any lettuce cultivar.
With its impressive disease- and bolt-resistance, this heirloom produces large heads that are nearly immune to bottom rot, downy mildew, and white mold.
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‘Pirat’ falls in the category of butterhead lettuces, which are those with buttery soft, round leaves that form loose, somewhat open heads. The leaves have a sweet flavor and crisp texture.
Ready to set sail? Great! Let’s go over everything you need to know to grow ‘Pirat’ lettuce and enjoy the bounty in under two months!
Here’s what I’ll cover:
‘Pirat’ is an heirloom butterhead lettuce that originated in the German Alps in the mid 1900s from the French favorite ‘Merveille des Quatre Saisons,’ which translates to “Marvel of Four Seasons.”
Quick Look
Common name(s): Pirat, butterhead lettuce
Plant type: Annual leafy vegetable
Hardiness (USDA Zone): 2-11
Native to: Cultivated variety
Bloom time / season: Spring-fall, winter with protection
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil type: Loose, rich, well-draining
Soil pH: 6.0-6.5
Time to maturity: 50-55 days
Mature size: 12 inches tall by 12 inches wide
Water Needs: Moderate
Other names for ‘Pirat’ include ‘Sprenkel,’ which is German for “sprinkles,” a reference to the brown speckling on the leaves, and ‘Brauner Trotzkopf,’ which translates to “resistant brown head” – presumably referring to its impressive bolt resistance.
The large heads grow to about 12 inches tall and wide when mature.
How to Sow
Cold weather brings out the burgundy hue, so try to grow ‘Pirat’ during the cooler months if you want to highlight the color.
From Seed
A packet of seeds can be had for a song and you can start dozens of lettuce heads. Consider succession sowing for an extended harvest.
Since the heads take about 50 days to mature, you can start them directly in the garden if you have about two months of temperatures below 85°F and above freezing.
Or, start your seeds indoors and move them out when the seedlings are several inches tall with multiple true leaves. You don’t even need to move them outside, you can grow lettuce indoors if you prefer.
