Little Gem
A compact Cos variety with sweet, crisp hearts. Ideal for small spaces and containers, maturing quickly.
When to plant Lettuce in London
Lactuca sativa
Loose-leaf and hearting lettuce for the UK garden. Sow little and often for salad leaves, or start heading types indoors and plant them out. Give light shade in midsummer, and keep the soil evenly moist so plants do not bolt.
30 cm · Partial Shade · High Water
Calibrated to London · average last frost around 4 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow outdoors | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
Growing guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Grow loose-leaf lettuce varieties for repeated harvesting of outer leaves over a long season.
01
Sow Seeds Outdoors
14 Mar to 26 Sept Optional · repeat every 2 weeksSow a short row from 14th March - 26th September. Sow deep, water gently, and repeat every 14 days. Germination stalls in hot soil, so keep the seedbed cool and moist.
- In midsummer, a little light shade helps stop plants bolting.
02
Thin Seedlings
28 Mar to 17 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stageThin seedlings to apart once they have their first true leaves, around 28th March - 17th October. Snip the extras at soil level and eat them.
03
Protect from Pests
4 Apr to 10 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stageFrom 4th April, protect plants from slugs and snails. Check regularly, especially after rain, and keep this up through 10th November.
04
Water Consistently
28 Mar to 10 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stageFrom 28th March, keep the soil evenly moist. Dry soil makes lettuce bolt. Water at the base, and keep this up through 10th November.
05
Harvest Outer Leaves
18 Apr to 10 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stageStart picking outer leaves around 18th April once they are large enough to eat. Cut them near the base and leave the centre so the plant keeps growing. You can keep cutting through 18th April - 10th November.
Companion plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Lettuce.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Lettuce to consider
Tom Thumb
A heritage butterhead lettuce dating back to the 1850s. Produces tennis-ball sized heads with soft, buttery leaves and sweet flavour. Perfect for small gardens, raised beds, and containers. Matures quickly in 6-7 weeks. Cold-hardy and excels in spring and autumn plantings.
Lollo Rosso
A loose-leaf lettuce with frilly, red-edged leaves. Excellent for cut-and-come-again harvesting and adds colour to salads.
Iceberg
A crisphead lettuce forming tight, crunchy heads. Requires a longer growing season but stores well after harvesting.
Related plants
Explore similar plants you might like
Basil
Sow indoors February to March, plant out April to May, harvest June to August. Typical frost risk November to April.
Brussels Sprouts
Sow indoors February to March, plant out April to May, harvest October to March. Typical frost risk November to April.
Calabrese
Sow indoors February to March, plant out April to May, harvest June to August. Typical frost risk November to April.
Lettuce guides by town
See how Lettuce timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.