Claytonia
A cold-hardy winter salad green also known as miners lettuce, with round, succulent leaves surrounding the stem like a disc.
On this pageOverview
Meet Claytonia
A cold-hardy winter salad green also known as miners lettuce, with round, succulent leaves surrounding the stem like a disc. Plants thrive in cool, moist conditions and can be grown through winter under row cover or in an unheated greenhouse. The mild, slightly sweet flavor and unique leaf shape make it a gourmet salad ingredient. Self-seeds readily and naturalizes in shady garden areas.
When to plant Claytonia
Sow seeds on the surface of moist soil in early spring or late summer, pressing gently without covering. Seeds need light and cool temperatures of 40 to 55 degrees to germinate. Stratify seeds in the refrigerator for 2 weeks in damp paper towel to improve germination. Germination takes 10 to 21 days and can be erratic. Keep soil surface consistently moist. Self-sown plants often emerge reliably each autumn.
Your Claytonia Year
Composed for Zone 7 · typical seasons · frost passes Apr 2, returns Nov 1
Sow Claytonia Sep – Nov, pick Jan – Mar, Nov – Dec. Set your climate below and every date on this plate re-times itself.
How to grow Claytonia
Claytonia, also called miner's lettuce or winter purslane, is a cold-hardy wild green native to western North America that thrives in cool, moist conditions. Direct sow seeds on the surface of moist soil in early spring or late summer, as seeds need light and cold to germinate. Press seeds gently into the soil surface without covering.
Claytonia germinates best at cool soil temperatures of 40 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and may benefit from stratification in the refrigerator for 2 weeks before sowing. Space plants 4 to 6 inches apart or grow as a thick ground cover that can be sheared for baby greens.
This green excels in partial shade and moist conditions where other greens struggle. It is one of the few salad crops that thrives in winter cold frames and unheated greenhouses. Keep soil consistently moist, as claytonia wilts quickly in dry conditions. Plants self-seed freely, often returning each year as a volunteer crop. Minimal fertilization is needed as it grows naturally in poor soils.
128 plants fit a 4 × 8 ft bed
Each Claytonia wants 15 cm of elbow room. The planner keeps that spacing for you — every plant, every bed.
Claytonia's best neighbours
Claytonia is an excellent ground cover under taller crops, keeping the soil moist and suppressing weeds. It grows well in the shade of fruit trees, berry bushes, and tall brassicas. Pair with other cold-hardy salad greens like corn salad and land cress for winter salad mixes. Avoid planting in full sun during summer as it will bolt quickly.
Carrot belongs beside it.
Old growers' knowledge, checked against Claytonia's real companion table below — test any plant you're growing.
Feed it well
Claytonia naturally grows in poor to moderate soil and requires minimal fertilization. It prefers moist, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Work in a light application of compost before sowing. Avoid heavy fertilization which produces soft, floppy growth. In containers, use a light potting mix and feed sparingly with dilute liquid fertilizer monthly.
Ideal Temperature
Hardiness Zone Compatibility
From seed to harvest, stage by stage
Seed Germination
Claytonia seeds require cool temperatures between 4-12°C (40-55°F) to germinate reliably. The tiny black seeds are surface-sown or barely covered, as they need some light to trigger germination. Emergence takes 7-14 days and is notoriously uneven — seeds may sprout in waves over several weeks. A period of cold stratification dramatically improves germination rates.
Cotyledon Stage
The first pair of narrow, grass-like cotyledon leaves emerge and look nothing like the mature foliage. Seedlings are extremely delicate at this stage and grow slowly. The developing root system is establishing in the cool soil, and seedlings benefit from gentle overhead misting rather than heavy watering.
Rosette Formation
True leaves appear with their characteristic smooth, spoon-shaped form. The plant begins building a compact rosette of succulent, rounded leaves close to the ground. Growth accelerates in cool weather and the leaves develop their distinctive mild, slightly nutty flavor. Each rosette expands steadily outward as new leaves emerge from the center.
Peak Harvest
The rosette reaches full size with 15-25 leaves and the plant is at peak productivity. Leaves are at their most tender and flavorful during cool weather, with a mild, lettuce-like taste and satisfying succulent crunch. Multiple harvests can be taken by cutting whole rosettes 2 cm above the soil line, allowing regrowth from the crown.
Flowering and Seed Set
As day length increases and temperatures warm, flower stalks emerge from the center of each rosette bearing small five-petaled white to pale pink flowers with delicate pink veining. The flowers are edible and make a beautiful salad garnish. After pollination, small round seed capsules develop and eventually eject seeds explosively when ripe.
Self-Sowing and Dormancy
Ripe seed capsules split open and fling tiny black seeds up to a meter away from the parent plant. The parent plant dies back as summer heat arrives. Seeds lie dormant through summer and germinate naturally when cool autumn rains return, perpetuating the colony without any gardener intervention.
Mix the tiny seeds with fine sand for even distribution. Keep the soil surface consistently moist but never waterlogged. If sowing in warm weather, refrigerate seeds in damp paper towels for 2-3 weeks before planting to simulate winter stratification.
Caring for Claytonia month by month
What to do each month for your Claytonia
July
You are hereNo active claytonia care needed. Use this time to order fresh seed for autumn sowing if your self-sown colony is not yet established. Store purchased seeds in the refrigerator to maintain viability.
Harvesting Claytonia
Harvest claytonia when the distinctive round, disc-shaped leaves are fully formed, typically 40 to 50 days after sowing. Cut entire plants at the base or harvest individual leaves and stems. For cut-and-come-again production, cut plants back to 1 inch above the soil. The entire plant including stems, leaves, and tiny white flowers is edible. Flavor is mildest in cool weather and partial shade.
assuming you sow when the window opens — set your real date
Pick Claytonia promptly and the plant keeps producing.
Storage & Preservation
Claytonia is very perishable and should be eaten within 2 to 3 days of harvest. Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container with a damp paper towel. It does not freeze or dry well due to its succulent, delicate texture. Grow as a living salad through the winter months for the freshest supply rather than attempting to preserve it.
What goes wrong — and the fix
Slugs
PestIrregular holes in the round, succulent leaves and slimy trails on the soil surface.
Aphids
PestSmall clusters of insects on stems and leaf undersides, particularly in sheltered growing conditions.
Downy Mildew
DiseaseYellowing leaves with faint gray growth on undersides, especially in cool humid conditions.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Germination can be erratic without cold stratification, as seeds have specific temperature requirements. Plants wilt rapidly in hot, dry conditions and do not tolerate summer heat. In very rich soil, growth may be overly lush and susceptible to rot. Self-seeding can become invasive in ideal conditions. Slugs are attracted to the succulent leaves, especially in moist growing environments.
Growing Tips
- Embrace the cold and reject the instinct to keep claytonia warm. This plant actively prefers temperatures between 4-16°C (40-60°F) and grows poorly above 20°C (68°F). A simple unheated cold frame is the ideal growing environment — no supplemental heat needed or wanted.
- Sow seeds on the soil surface and press gently rather than burying them. Claytonia seeds need some light to germinate and are so tiny that burying them even 1 cm deep can prevent emergence. Mix seeds with fine sand for more even distribution.
- Cold stratify seeds for 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator before sowing to dramatically improve germination rates. Wrap seeds in damp paper towels inside a sealed bag at 4°C (40°F). This mimics the natural winter chill the seeds expect before sprouting.
- Grow in partial shade for the best results, especially in spring. Claytonia is a natural woodland-edge plant that thrives in dappled light. Full sun causes premature bolting and bitter leaves, while too much shade reduces yields. Aim for 4-6 hours of direct light.
- Use the cut-and-come-again method for maximum yield. Cut entire rosettes 2 cm above the soil line and the crown will regenerate a new flush of leaves in 2-3 weeks. Each plant can be harvested this way 2-3 times before it bolts to flower.
- Allow some plants to flower and complete their seed cycle every spring. Claytonia self-sows aggressively in ideal conditions, and a single season of seed setting can establish a permanent self-renewing colony that provides free winter greens for years.
- Water sparingly once plants are established — claytonia's slightly succulent leaves store moisture efficiently and the plant actually prefers soil on the drier side of moist. Overwatering in cold weather promotes root rot and damping off, the most common causes of failure.
- Ventilate cold frames on any sunny day above 5°C (40°F). Even in winter, a closed cold frame in direct sun can overheat to 25°C (77°F) or more within hours, which stresses claytonia and promotes fungal disease. Crack the lid by midmorning and close by late afternoon.
Pick your Claytonia
Claytonia perfoliata
The standard miner's lettuce with distinctive disc-shaped leaves surrounding the stem, mild and succulent.
Claytonia sibirica
Siberian spring beauty with broader leaves and pink flowers, slightly more robust than the common type.
Winter Purslane
A cultivated selection with larger leaves optimized for production growing, excellent cold tolerance.
Claytonia seed is inexpensive at $3-5 per packet, and once established the plant self-sows indefinitely, providing free salad greens every winter with zero replanting costs. Fresh winter microgreens and specialty salad mixes sell for $15-30 per kg at farmers markets and grocery stores. A single cold frame of claytonia can produce $30-60 worth of premium winter greens per season, and the value compounds year after year as the self-sowing colony expands — making it one of the highest-return crops per dollar invested in the entire garden.
Quick recipes
Winter Miners Lettuce Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
10 minA simple, elegant salad showcasing claytonia's mild flavor and crisp texture. The citrus dressing brightens the delicate greens and pairs beautifully with toasted walnuts and shaved Parmesan. This is the classic way to enjoy miners lettuce — fresh, cold, and barely dressed.
8 ingredientsClaytonia and Goat Cheese Crostini
15 minToasted baguette rounds topped with creamy goat cheese and a generous pile of fresh claytonia leaves — a delightful winter appetizer that lets the green's mild, succulent character shine against the tangy cheese. A drizzle of good honey ties everything together.
7 ingredientsWilted Claytonia with Garlic and Sesame
8 minA quick warm preparation that transforms claytonia into a silky, spinach-like side dish in under two minutes of cooking. The sesame oil and garlic add depth while a splash of rice vinegar keeps the greens bright. Serve alongside rice and grilled fish for a complete meal.
7 ingredientsCulinary Uses
Claytonia has a mild, slightly sweet, succulent flavor perfect for fresh winter salads. The round leaves and delicate stems add visual interest to mixed green salads. It can be lightly steamed or sauteed as a cooked green, though it reduces significantly. Use as a fresh garnish for soups and sandwiches. The tiny white flowers are also edible and decorative.
What's inside
Health Benefits
- Exceptionally rich in vitamin C for a winter green, providing 24% of the daily value per 100g — historically important for preventing scurvy and still valuable today for immune support during cold and flu season when other fresh greens are scarce.
- Contains significant omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid), a rare and valuable trait among leafy greens that supports heart health, reduces inflammation, and promotes brain function.
- High in vitamin A and beta-carotene, providing over 40% of the daily value per 100g, which supports healthy vision, skin integrity, and immune cell function.
- Provides bioavailable iron and calcium that support bone density and red blood cell production — especially valuable for those on plant-based diets who need diverse mineral sources during winter months.
- The mild, palatable flavor encourages increased raw green vegetable consumption, delivering live enzymes and heat-sensitive nutrients that are lost in cooked greens.
- Contains antioxidant compounds including flavonoids and carotenoids that help protect cells from oxidative damage and may reduce chronic inflammation associated with winter sedentary lifestyles.
Where Claytonia comes from
Claytonia perfoliata (miner's lettuce) is native to western North America, where it grows wild from British Columbia south through California and east into the mountain states. It thrives naturally in shaded, moist habitats — forest clearings, streambanks, and the dappled light beneath oak woodlands. The plant evolved as a cool-season ephemeral, completing its entire life cycle during the mild, wet months between autumn and late spring, then setting seed and going dormant as summer heat and drought arrive.
Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest and California relied on claytonia as an important early-season green long before European contact. The Shoshone, Paiute, Okanagan, and many other tribes gathered the tender leaves and stems as one of the first fresh foods available after winter. Some groups also dug the small tuberous roots, which have a mild, chestnut-like flavor when roasted. The entire plant — leaves, stems, flowers, and roots — was considered edible and nutritious.
The common name 'miner's lettuce' dates to the California Gold Rush of the 1840s and 1850s, when thousands of prospectors flooded the Sierra Nevada foothills with little access to fresh produce. Scurvy was rampant in the mining camps until miners learned from local Indigenous knowledge and Mexican Californians that this abundant wild green could prevent and even cure the disease. Claytonia's high vitamin C content made it a genuine lifesaver, and it became a dietary staple in mining communities throughout the Gold Rush era.
European botanists encountered claytonia in the 18th century, and seeds were sent to botanical gardens across Europe as a curiosity. The plant adapted so well to the cool, damp maritime climate of northwestern Europe that it escaped cultivation and naturalized widely. Today, claytonia grows wild across the United Kingdom, France, and other parts of western Europe, often considered a minor weed but increasingly valued by foragers and chefs.
In modern market gardening, claytonia has experienced a renaissance as growers rediscover its unique value as a winter salad crop. It fills a critical gap in the harvest calendar — producing tender, mild greens from late autumn through early spring when most other salad crops cannot grow. Under simple cold frame or unheated tunnel protection, claytonia provides reliable fresh harvests through the coldest months, making it indispensable in four-season growing systems and winter farmers markets.
Claytonia: did you know?
Fascinating facts about Claytonia
Claytonia perfoliata gets its common name 'miner's lettuce' because Gold Rush miners in 1840s-1850s California ate it in huge quantities to prevent scurvy — it was one of the only fresh greens available in the mining camps of the Sierra Nevada foothills and its high vitamin C content literally saved lives.
Claytonia questions, answered
When should I plant Claytonia?
What are good companion plants for Claytonia?
What hardiness zones can Claytonia grow in?
How much sun does Claytonia need?
How far apart should I space Claytonia?
What pests and diseases affect Claytonia?
How do I store Claytonia after harvest?
What are the best Claytonia varieties to grow?
What soil does Claytonia need?
When is the best time to plant claytonia?
Does claytonia need a cold frame or greenhouse to survive winter?
Will claytonia self-sow and come back every year?
Why did my claytonia bolt and flower so quickly?
Can I grow claytonia indoors or on a windowsill?
Is claytonia the same as miner's lettuce?
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From the “When to plant” sectionDrag-and-drop bed planner
Design beds on a grid. Every plant snaps to its proper spacing, and you can see your whole season laid out before you spend a cent on seed.
From the “Growing guide” sectionCompanion conflicts, caught early
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From the “Companions” sectionReminders you'll actually act on
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From the “Harvest” sectionSuccession, scheduled
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From the “When to plant” sectionA record that gets smarter
Every harvest you log teaches it your garden. Next year's plan starts from what actually worked in your soil, not a textbook's.
From the “Overview” sectionPlant these alongside Claytonia
More Leafy Greens
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