lettuce

Lactuca sativa

VegetableAsteraceae

MBG Plant of Merit 2012

lettuce
Edible
USDA zones2 to 11
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles moderate to moist soil
Size6 to 12 inches tall6 to 12 inches wide
Growth rate
Rapid
Habit
Erect
Bloom season
Spring, summer, autumn
Bloom color
Yellow
Foliage color
Gold/yellow, green, purple/lavender, red/burgundy, variegated, white
Soil types
Sand, loam, clay, chalk
Soil pH
Acid, alkaline, neutral

Garden uses

ContainerFood gardenLow maintenance

Notes

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a vegetable for containers, food gardens, and low maintenance beds. It is typically grown as an annual. It shrugs off cool spells and light frost, though a hard freeze will damage it. This plant likes full or part sun and average to moist soil of most types. Lettuce grows fast and stays 6 to 12 inches tall, with leaves in green, red, purple, gold, or variegated shades.

Pairs well with Dill, Garlic, and Candy carrot.

Native range

Mediterranean to Siberia.