Lettuce

A fast-growing leafy green that prefers cooler temperatures and bolts quickly in summer heat. Succession sow every two to three weeks for a continuous supply of fresh leaves throughout the growing season. Provide afternoon shade in warmer months and keep soil evenly moist to delay bolting and prevent bitter-tasting leaves. Harvest outer leaves first or cut the whole head at the base for a possible second flush of growth.

Lettuce seeds can be direct-sown or started indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. Sow seeds on the surface of moist seed-starting mix and press lightly — lettuce seeds need light to germinate, so do not cover with soil. Germination occurs in 4-10 days at 10-18°C (50-65°F). Lettuce seeds become dormant above 25°C (77°F); for summer sowing, pre-chill seeds in a damp paper towel in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, then sow in the evening to take advantage of cooler night temperatures. Transplant seedlings outdoors once they have 3-4 true leaves, spacing 25-30 cm apart. Harden off for 3-5 days. Lettuce tolerates light frost, so early transplanting is safe in most climates.

The Season Plate

Your Lettuce Year

Composed for Zone 7 · typical seasons · frost passes Apr 2, returns Nov 1

Sow Lettuce Mar – May, Aug – Sep, pick May – Jul, Oct – Nov. Set your climate below and every date on this plate re-times itself.

Sowing window

Mar – May, Aug – Sep

re-timed to your frost dates

Plant out

after Apr 2

once frost risk has passed

First picking

around Apr 29

≈ 45 days from sowing · 200-350g per plant

Composed for —ColdTemperateMildWarmUse my locationUsed once to set your season · only the zone is kept

Week-by-week Lettuce reminders watering, feeding and pruning, timed to your dates

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Frost alerts for your garden a warning before a cold night costs you the crop

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Succession sowing dates so the picking never gaps mid-season

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Lettuce is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops for home gardeners, offering fast harvests and the ability to grow in containers, raised beds, or even window boxes. Sow seeds directly outdoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost date, scattering them 6mm (1/4 inch) deep in rows 30 cm apart. Lettuce seeds need light to germinate, so press them gently into the soil surface rather than burying deeply. Seeds germinate in 4-10 days at soil temperatures of 10-18°C (50-65°F). Thin seedlings to 25-30 cm apart for heading types or 10-15 cm for loose-leaf varieties.

Lettuce performs best in cool weather between 10-21°C (50-70°F) and struggles in temperatures above 27°C (80°F), which trigger bolting (premature flowering). Provide partial shade during warm weather using shade cloth, tall companion plants, or north-facing planting positions. Succession sow every 2-3 weeks from early spring through fall for a continuous supply. In hot climates, focus on heat-tolerant varieties and plant in late summer for fall and winter harvests.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, as lettuce has shallow roots that dry out quickly. Water gently in the morning to keep foliage dry overnight and reduce disease risk. Mulch with a thin layer of straw or grass clippings to conserve moisture and keep soil temperatures cool. Lettuce is a light feeder but benefits from a side-dressing of compost or dilute liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Avoid excessive nitrogen late in growth, which can make leaves taste bitter.

Carrots and lettuce are classic companions — lettuce acts as living mulch that shades the soil surface, keeping carrot roots cool and moist, while carrots grow deep underground without competing for the same root zone. Radishes interplanted with lettuce germinate quickly, marking rows and breaking soil crust for the smaller lettuce seeds. Chives planted nearby repel aphids with their pungent aroma. Tall crops like corn, tomatoes, and sunflowers provide the partial shade that lettuce craves during warm weather. Strawberries and lettuce share similar light and water needs, making them efficient bed partners. Avoid planting near celery, which competes for similar nutrients and space.

The Society Table

Carrot belongs beside it. Celery doesn't.

Old growers' knowledge, checked against Lettuce's real companion table below — test any plant you're growing.

Grows well in the company of · 4

CarrotRadishChivesStrawberry

Keep apart · 1

Celery

Plant Lettuce with good neighboursThe planner flags conflicts before they're in the ground

Related growing guides

Vegetables

Carrot

A good companion for Lettuce

Vegetables

Radish

A good companion for Lettuce

Herbs

Chives

A good companion for Lettuce

Fruits

Strawberry

A good companion for Lettuce

Lettuce prefers fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Work 5 cm of compost into the top 15-20 cm of soil before planting. Lettuce is a relatively light feeder but responds well to a steady supply of nitrogen for lush leaf production. Apply a balanced granular fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting, then side-dress with compost tea or dilute fish emulsion every 2-3 weeks. Avoid heavy nitrogen applications close to harvest, which can make leaves taste bitter. For container growing, use a high-quality potting mix with slow-release fertilizer and supplement with liquid feed every 10-14 days.

Ideal Temperature

Hardiness Zone Compatibility

Harvest loose-leaf lettuce by picking individual outer leaves once they reach 10-15 cm long, allowing the center to continue producing new growth for weeks of continuous harvest. For heading types like romaine, iceberg, and butterhead, wait until the head feels firm when gently squeezed, then cut the entire head at the base with a sharp knife. Harvest in the cool morning hours for the crispest, least bitter leaves. A cut-and-come-again approach works well for loose-leaf and baby lettuce — cut all leaves 2.5 cm above the crown, and the plant will regrow for 2-3 additional harvests. Harvest immediately if plants begin to bolt (sending up a tall central flower stalk), as leaves become increasingly bitter.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh lettuce stores in the refrigerator for 5-10 days depending on type — head lettuces keep longer than loose-leaf varieties. Wash leaves, spin dry thoroughly, and wrap in paper towels inside a loosely closed plastic bag to absorb excess moisture. Crisp wilted lettuce by soaking in ice water for 15-30 minutes. Lettuce does not freeze, can, or dehydrate well, so focus on succession planting for continuous fresh supply rather than preservation. Surplus lettuce can be juiced or blended into green smoothies. Romaine hearts tolerate light grilling for a unique smoky salad option.

Slugs and Snails

Pest

Irregular holes chewed in leaves, especially overnight, with characteristic silvery slime trails visible on the soil surface and foliage. Young seedlings may be completely consumed. Damage is worst during wet weather.

Prevention Use copper tape or diatomaceous earth barriers around beds. Water in the morning so soil surfaces dry by evening. Remove garden debris and mulch where slugs hide during the day. Encourage ground beetles and birds, which are natural predators.

Fix: Set out beer traps (shallow dishes of beer sunk to soil level) to attract and drown slugs. Apply iron phosphate-based slug bait, which is safe for pets and wildlife. Handpick slugs at dusk or dawn when they are most active.

Aphids

Pest

Colonies of small green, peach, or black soft-bodied insects clustered on leaf undersides and in the hearts of heading varieties. Leaves become puckered and curled, and sticky honeydew may coat lower leaves.

Prevention Plant alyssum and dill nearby to attract ladybugs and hoverflies. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which produces the soft, lush growth aphids prefer. Use reflective mulch to disorient flying aphids.

Fix: Blast with a gentle jet of water to dislodge colonies — lettuce leaves are delicate, so use lower pressure than for sturdier plants. Apply insecticidal soap directly to colonies. Introduce purchased ladybugs in the evening.

Downy Mildew

Disease

Pale green to yellow angular patches on upper leaf surfaces, with white to grayish fuzzy fungal growth on the undersides. Affected areas turn brown and papery. Spreads rapidly in cool, humid weather.

Prevention Plant resistant varieties. Ensure adequate spacing for air circulation. Water at the base of plants, never overhead. Remove and destroy infected leaves immediately. Practice crop rotation.

Fix: Apply copper-based fungicide at first sign of symptoms. Remove severely affected outer leaves. Improve air circulation by thinning crowded plantings. There are no curative treatments once infection is severe — focus on protecting remaining healthy tissue.

Lettuce Drop (Sclerotinia)

Disease

Plants suddenly wilt and collapse at the base, with white, cottony fungal growth visible on the stem and lower leaves near the soil line. Hard, dark sclerotia (fungal survival structures) form in the decayed tissue.

Prevention Rotate lettuce plantings on a 3-4 year cycle. Avoid overwatering and ensure excellent drainage. Remove and destroy affected plants immediately, including surrounding soil. Solarize beds in summer to reduce fungal populations.

Fix: There is no effective treatment once a plant is infected. Remove and destroy the entire plant, including roots and surrounding soil. Improve drainage and avoid planting lettuce in the same spot for at least 3 years.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Bolting (premature flowering) is the most common lettuce frustration and is triggered by a combination of hot weather above 27°C (80°F), long day lengths exceeding 14 hours, and water stress. Once the central stalk begins to elongate, leaves quickly become bitter and the plant shifts all energy to seed production. Choose bolt-resistant varieties like 'Buttercrunch', 'Jericho', or 'Muir', and provide afternoon shade using shade cloth (40-50%) or tall companion plants. Succession sow every 2-3 weeks so you always have young plants at their peak flavor. Bitter-tasting leaves are the second most common complaint and result from heat stress, insufficient watering, or harvesting too late in the day when the plant has been photosynthesizing in warm temperatures. Harvest in the cool morning hours when sugar content is highest and leaves are most crisp. Keep soil consistently moist through drip irrigation and mulching — even brief dry spells cause lettuce to concentrate bitter latex compounds in the leaves. Tip burn (brown, papery leaf edges, especially on inner leaves of heading types) is caused by calcium uptake issues during periods of rapid growth and inconsistent watering. It is not a calcium deficiency in the soil but rather the plant's inability to transport calcium fast enough to fast-growing tissue. Maintain even soil moisture, avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, and provide adequate spacing for air circulation. Brown or slimy leaf bases indicate bottom rot from prolonged soil contact in poorly drained conditions. Mulch around plants to create a clean barrier between soil and leaves, ensure good airflow by thinning crowded plantings, and avoid overhead watering that keeps foliage wet. Poor germination in summer occurs because lettuce seeds go dormant above 25°C (77°F) — a survival mechanism called thermodormancy. Pre-chill seeds in a damp paper towel in the refrigerator for 2-3 days before summer sowing, then sow in the evening to take advantage of cooler night temperatures. Use shade cloth over newly sown rows to keep soil temperatures down.

Growing Tips

1. Succession sow every 2-3 weeks from early spring through fall for a non-stop supply of fresh lettuce. This is the single most important technique for avoiding feast-or-famine harvests.
2. Lettuce seeds need light to germinate — press them onto the soil surface and keep moist, but never bury them. This is the #1 mistake new gardeners make with lettuce.
3. For summer growing, pre-chill seeds in a damp paper towel in the refrigerator for 2-3 days to break heat-induced dormancy, then sow in the evening when soil is coolest.
4. Provide afternoon shade during warm weather using shade cloth (40-50%), tall companion plants, or by planting on the north side of trellised crops like tomatoes or beans.
5. Harvest in the cool early morning when leaves are most crisp and sugars are highest. Afternoon-harvested lettuce is more limp and can taste slightly bitter.
6. Use the cut-and-come-again method on loose-leaf varieties — cut all leaves 2.5 cm above the crown and the plant will regrow for 2-3 additional harvests, effectively tripling your yield.
7. Mulch with a thin layer of straw or grass clippings to keep soil cool and moist — lettuce has very shallow roots that dry out quickly in exposed soil.
8. Grow bolt-resistant varieties like 'Jericho' (romaine), 'Muir' (butterhead), or 'Buttercrunch' during the warmer months to extend your salad season.
9. Interplant lettuce between slower-growing crops like tomatoes, peppers, and cabbage — the lettuce will be harvested before the larger plants need the space.
10. Consider growing lettuce in containers on a shaded patio — it requires surprisingly little root depth (15 cm) and thrives in the cooler microclimate of a covered porch.