A fast, easy cool-season leafy vegetable in crisp, cos and loose-leaf forms for year-round salads. Quick from seed and ideal for cut-and-come-again harvesting in beds or containers.
At a glance
- Plant type: Edible plant
- Mature size: 30 cm H × 25 cm W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: regular, moderate watering
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Exotic
About Lettuce
Botanically, Lactuca sativa is an fast-growing edible plant in the Asteraceae family. It reaches around 30 cm tall and 25 cm wide at maturity.
Where to grow Lettuce
Lettuce suits warm-temperate, cool-temperate and subtropical climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters.
Soil & planting
Lettuce does best in loamy and free-draining soil. Plant into well-prepared ground, firm the soil around the roots and water deeply to settle it in.
Watering & feeding
Lettuce is regular, moderate watering. Feed regularly through the growing season for the best crop. In its first year, water deeply once or twice a week to settle the roots in, then taper off as it establishes.
Pruning & care
Tip-prune Lettuce in spring to maintain a dense, shapely habit. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Lettuce in the garden
Lettuce earns its place for edible harvests and pots and courtyard containers. It is equally at home in the ground or a large pot on a balcony or courtyard.
Companion planting & design
For a cohesive, low-care bed, pair Lettuce with other plants that enjoy the same regular, moderate watering and warm-temperate climate. Repeat it through a border to tie the planting together and give a sense of rhythm.
Good to know
It is regarded as non-toxic and pet-safe.
Buying Lettuce
Plant Sale lists Lettuce as seedlings and seed. Stock isn't live yet — register your interest using the panel above and we'll email you the moment it lands.
Prefer to grow it yourself? See the Lettuce seed sowing guide for depth, timing and germination.