When to plant Lettuce in the UK

Lactuca sativa

Lettuce
Lettuce · Lactuca sativa

A fast-growing leafy green vegetable with crisp, tender leaves. Lettuce comes in many varieties including butterhead, romaine, leaf, and iceberg types. It's a cool-season crop that thrives in spring and fall, offering mild to slightly bitter flavors depending on the variety.

30 cm · Partial Shade · High Water

Add to garden
Sow outdoors April to May, harvest June to July.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Lettuce

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

Growing guide for the UK

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.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Outdoors

    mid-April to early May UK average · set your town for your exact dates every 3 weeks

    Sow seeds thinly in rows or containers from mid-April to early May. Sow on the surface and press in, or cover with a fine layer of compost no deeper than . Water gently and keep the soil cool. Seeds won't germinate well if soil temperatures exceed .

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    early May to mid-May UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Thin seedlings to apart when they have their first true leaves, around early May to mid-May. Use the thinnings as microgreens. This gives remaining plants room to develop.

  3. 03

    Protect from Pests

    mid-May to late May UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Protect young plants from slugs and snails from mid-May to late May. Use organic methods like beer traps, copper tape, or hand-picking in the evening. Check regularly, especially after rain.

  4. 04

    Water Consistently

    late May to late July UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Water plants regularly to keep the soil consistently moist from late May to late July. Dry soil can cause lettuce to bolt prematurely. Water at the base to avoid wetting the leaves, which helps prevent fungal diseases.

  5. 05

    Harvest Outer Leaves

    early June to late July UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Start harvesting outer leaves from early June to late July. Pick leaves when they're large enough to use, cutting them near the base. Leave the central growing point intact so the plant continues producing new leaves.

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

Little Gem

A compact Cos variety with sweet, crisp hearts. Ideal for small spaces and containers, maturing quickly.

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.