Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

Lettuce is a cool-season leafy vegetable cultivated for its crisp and tender leaves. It comes in various types, including butterhead, romaine, crisphead, and loose-leaf, each with unique textures and flavors. Lettuce is commonly used in salads, sandwiches, and wraps, adding a refreshing element to meals. It's a good source of vitamins A and K, as well as folate and fiber.

Lettuce

Quick Information

Height
30cm
Sun
Full Sun
Water
Moderate Water

Planting Calendar

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Growing Guide for

1
Sow seeds indoors

03 Mar 2025 - 17 Mar 2025

Sow seeds in seed starting mix, 1cm deep. Keep soil consistently moist and warm (10-21°C).

Lettuce seeds can be tricky to germinate; avoid extreme temperatures.
Use a heat mat if needed to maintain optimal soil temperature.

2
Sow seeds outdoors

14 Apr 2025 - 05 May 2025

Sow seeds directly in the ground, 1cm deep, when soil temperatures are between 10-21°C.

Sow seeds in the late afternoon or evening during warmer months.
Avoid planting lettuce in the same spot where lettuce has been grown in the past three years.

3
Plant out seedlings

14 Apr 2025 - 14 Apr 2025

Transplant seedlings outdoors, spacing them 15-25cm apart for small-medium varieties, or 35cm for large varieties.

Choose a fertile, moisture-retentive soil.
Water thoroughly after planting.

4
Water regularly

28 Apr 2025 - Ongoing

Water lettuces regularly, especially during dry periods, to prevent bolting.

Water deeply at the base of the plant.
Avoid overhead watering which can encourage disease.

5
Harvest lettuce

29 May 2025 - Ongoing

Harvest loose-leaf lettuces whole or as a cut-and-come-again crop. Harvest butterhead, cos, and crisphead lettuces when they have formed a head.

Harvest before the lettuce bolts (becomes bitter).
Harvest in the cool morning for the best flavor.