Lettuce Seed
Lactuca sativa • Asteraceae
🌱 Seed Category
Vegetable
🌍 Origin Region
Mediterranean region
📅 Days to Maturity
30 to 60 days to maturity depending on whether harvested as baby leaf or full head.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9, grown predominantly as an annual crop.
About This Seed
Small, narrow, elongated cypsela seed with fine longitudinal ribs and a pale straw to light brown color. The resulting plant is a leafy annual vegetable forming rosettes of crisp edible leaves.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring and Fall, direct sow or start indoors, frost-tolerant as a cool-season crop
Germination
Germinates in 7 to 14 days at optimal soil temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. High germination rate, requires light to germinate effectively without burying too deep.
Planting Instructions
Planting depth of 1/8 inch, spaced 4 to 12 inches apart depending on leaf or head type. Prefers loose, well-draining rich loam soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade, requiring consistent moisture and moderate watering with low drought tolerance.
Companion Plants
Companions well with carrots, radishes, and strawberries; avoid planting near brassicas.
Special Characteristics
Cool-season vegetable with good frost tolerance, highly popular for home gardens and salad production.