I Compared Heirloom vs Hybrid Lettuce
I grew heirloom and hybrid lettuce side by side. Here’s the difference in yield, flavor, and disease resistance.
The Test
Buttercrunch (heirloom) vs a hybrid butterhead. Same conditions.
The Results
| Metric | Heirloom | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Germination | 8/10 | 10/10 |
| Days to harvest | 60 | 55 |
| Bolt resistance | Moderate | High |
| Flavor | Excellent | Good |
| Seed-savable | Yes | No |
What I Learned
- Hybrids germinate better. More uniform.
- Hybrids bolt slower. Better for warm weather.
- Heirlooms taste better. Noticeably.
- Heirlooms can be seed-saved. Hybrids can’t.
What I Do Now
Grow both. Hybrids for reliability. Heirlooms for flavor.