🥬 Lettuce: Growing Guide
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) grows best in partial shade with regular watering, and does well at 7–24 °C (45–75 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 25 cm (9.8 in) apart. Expect 45–60 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Lactuca sativa |
|---|---|
| Category | Vegetables |
| Sunlight | Partial shade |
| Watering | Regular |
| Plant spacing | 25 cm (9.8 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | 7–24 °C (45–75 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 45–60 days |
| Sowing depth | 0.3 cm (0.1 in) |
| Height | 20–30 cm (7.9–12 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||
| Continental | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | |||
| Tropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Harvest | ||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Feb–Mar, Sep · Plant out: Apr, Oct · Harvest: May–Jun, Nov–Dec.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar, Aug · Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Jun, Oct–Nov.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Feb–Mar, Aug · Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Jun, Oct–Nov.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Aug, Dec–Jan · Plant out: Feb, Sep · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Sow: Jan, Jul · Plant out: Feb, Aug · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: Apr, Aug · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul, Sep.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Aug, Dec–Jan · Plant out: Feb, Sep · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov.
Watering
Water about every 1 day in summer and about every 4 days in winter. Keep the soil moist, not soggy.
Growing tips
Dislikes heat. Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. Good for partial shade.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Lettuce: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Feb–Mar, Sep · Plant out: Apr, Oct · Harvest: May–Jun, Nov–Dec. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar, Aug · Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Jun, Oct–Nov. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Feb–Mar, Aug · Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Jun, Oct–Nov.
Lettuce: how often should I water it?
Water about every 1 day in summer and about every 4 days in winter. Keep the soil moist, not soggy.
Lettuce: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 25 cm (9.8 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 0.3 cm (0.1 in).
Lettuce: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 45–60 days.
Lettuce: which plants grow well with it?
Carrot, Radish, Strawberry, Onion.
Lettuce: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Aphids, Snails.
Plan your garden
Add Lettuce to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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