When to plant Lettuce in the UK

Lactuca sativa

Lettuce
Lettuce · 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

Add to garden
Sow indoors March to July, plant out May to August, harvest June to October.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNoNo

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

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

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 hearting varieties like Iceberg or Cos for harvesting whole heads.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Indoors

    late March to early July UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Sow in modules from late March to early July. Cover with a thin layer of compost so some light can reach the seed. Keep them bright so they do not go leggy. Repeat every 14 days.

  2. 02

    Prick Out Seedlings

    early April to late July UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Prick seedlings into individual pots when they have two true leaves, around early April to late July. Hold them by the leaves, not the stem. Grow them on in a cool, bright spot.

  3. 03

    Harden Off Plants

    mid-April to early August UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Harden plants off for 7 to 10 days from mid-April to early August. Put them outside by day and bring them in at night until they are used to outdoor weather.

  4. 04

    Transplant Outdoors

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

    Plant out from early May to mid-August. Space plants apart, water in well, and protect from slugs.

  5. 05

    Water and Feed

    mid-May to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Keep the soil evenly moist from mid-May through late October. In the ground, plants usually need no feed. In pots, use a balanced liquid feed every 14 days.

  6. 06

    Harvest Whole Heads

    late June to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Cut whole heads once they feel firm, from late June. Do not delay once they are ready. Cut at the base in the morning. You can keep harvesting through late June to late October.

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.