'Rolando' Head lettuce - Lactuca sativa var. capitata

'Rolando' Head lettuce – classic butterhead lettuce with large, heavy heads. 

This variety is an open‑pollinated butterhead lettuce with large, firm heads and a mild, tender‑buttery flavor. It forms compact, heavy heads, is bolt‑resistant, and shows good resistance to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae). Reliable, high‑yielding, and open‑pollinated – ideal for self‑sufficiency and organic cultivation.

  Origin & History

'Rolando' is an open‑pollinated butterhead lettuce that emerged from targeted selection and was first officially documented in 2009. The variety was developed by breeder Ulrike Behrendt with the aim of creating large, heavy heads that combine strong bolting resistance with reliable resistance to downy mildew. It remains stable under varying conditions and shows vertical resistance to several Bremia races. This makes it particularly suitable for spring and autumn cultivation, performing reliably in both commercial production and home gardens.

The variety is considered a modern butterhead with a classic appearance, distinguished by its uniform head formation and mild, buttery flavor. It was deliberately bred as an open‑pollinated alternative to the increasingly widespread hybrids. Since its introduction, 'Rolando' has been maintained and distributed by various seed initiatives and preservation programs, establishing itself as a freely accessible cultivated variety. Internationally, it has proven to be a dependable choice for organic production and is now grown in several European countries.

  Appearance & Characteristics

The plant forms large, firm heads reaching about 30 cm in height. The leaves are light to medium green, with a tender, buttery texture, creating a compact, heavy head. The variety shows good resistance to downy mildew and is bolt‑resistant. Tolerates brief frosts down to around -2 °C.

Leaf details:

• Size: Large, with leaves about 15-20 cm long

• Shape: Rounded, arranged in rosettes, forming closed heads

• Color: Light to medium green, evenly colored

• Texture: Tender‑buttery, crisp, and juicy

• Flavor: Mild‑buttery with a slightly sweet aroma

 Usage & Cultivation Highlights

'Rolando' is a dependable butterhead lettuce variety that combines classic flavor with modern resilience. Its tender, buttery leaves with a mild sweetness make it a summer kitchen favorite – perfect for fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, and bowls. The crisp texture and balanced aroma also lend themselves beautifully to light vinaigrettes, fresh herbs, and creative pairings with grilled dishes, cheeses, or vegetarian plates. Even in smoothies or green juices, 'Rolando' adds a refreshing, vitamin‑rich component.

Thanks to its reliable head formation and strong bolting resistance, 'Rolando' grows easily in open field, greenhouse, and even larger containers. The variety is robust against changing weather, requires relatively little water and nutrients, and shows vertical resistance to Bremia lactucae races 12, 17, 18, 22, and 24. Its uniform development ensures simple harvesting, while its adaptability to different soils makes cultivation straightforward. Even under higher temperatures, 'Rolando' remains stable and bolt‑resistant, extending the harvest season. The heads store well, retaining freshness for several days – an advantage for direct marketing and self‑sufficiency. Staggered sowings allow continuous harvests, and its even seedling growth further simplifies cultivation.

Compared to other butterhead lettuces, 'Rolando' stands out with its particularly sweet‑buttery flavor and large, heavy heads – an open‑pollinated variety for growers who value reliability, resilience, and traditional taste.