Grow Guide to Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

Plant Description

Lettuce is a fast-growing leafy green with tender, rounded leaves that form loose or compact heads, depending on the variety. It comes in many types—romaine, butterhead, leaf, and crisphead—and thrives in cool weather.

This mild, refreshing staple is perfect for beginner gardeners. It grows quickly, is easy to harvest, and makes an essential foundation for salads and sandwiches.

Quick Facts

  • Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade. Prefers cooler temps and benefits from afternoon shade in hot areas.
  • Days to Sprout: 7–14 days.
  • Days to Harvest: 45–60 days (baby leaves in as little as 30).
  • Plant Spacing: 8–12 inches apart depending on variety.
  • Seeds per Hole: 2 seeds per hole; thin to the strongest plant.
  • Plant Type: Annual.
  • Planting Depth: ¼ inch deep.

Best Planting Locations

  • Raised Beds: Excellent drainage and cooler early soil make this the ideal place for lettuce in spring and fall.
  • Containers: Thrives in shallow pots and window boxes. Great for cut-and-come-again harvesting near your kitchen.
  • Shady Spots: Partial shade in summer helps prevent bolting and bitterness.
  • Interplanting: Grow between taller crops like tomatoes or sunflowers to provide natural shade.

Getting Started

  1. Direct Sow or Start Indoors: Sow directly into the soil in cool weather or start indoors 3–4 weeks before transplanting.
  2. Soil Needs: Loose, fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Keep evenly moist but not soggy.
  3. Thinning: Essential for head formation. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once 2 inches tall.

Companion / Enemy Plants

Good Companions: Carrots, radishes, beets, onions, cucumbers, and marigolds.

Avoid Planting Near: Brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower) if space is tight—can compete for nutrients.

Attractants / Repellents

Attracts: Beneficial predatory insects if flowers are allowed to bloom late in the season.

Repels: Marigold planted nearby can help deter aphids and whiteflies.

When to Plant

  • Spring: Sow 2–4 weeks before last frost. Succession sow every 2 weeks for continuous harvest.
  • Fall: Plant 6–8 weeks before first frost. Use shade cloth or mulch to extend the harvest.

Maintenance

  • Watering: Keep soil consistently moist to encourage tender growth and prevent bitterness.
  • Fertilizing: Side-dress with compost mid-season. Too much nitrogen can lead to floppy leaves.
  • Pest Control: Use row covers to keep out aphids and leaf miners. Avoid overhead watering to reduce mildew risk.

Harvest

  • For baby greens, harvest outer leaves at any time when 3–4 inches long.
  • For full heads, wait until they are firm and full, then cut at the base with a knife.
  • Cut-and-come-again methods allow multiple harvests from loose-leaf varieties.

Uses

  • Fresh: Essential base for salads, lettuce wraps, sandwiches, and tacos.
  • Cooked: Romaine and heartier types can be grilled or lightly sautéed.
  • Juiced: Can be added to green juice blends for a gentle, mild leafy note.

How to Store

  • Refrigeration: Store whole or chopped leaves in a sealed container lined with a dry paper towel. Best within 5–7 days.
  • Hydration Tip: If leaves wilt, soak them in ice water for 10 minutes to revive.