Red Lettuce Growing Guide
Red Lettuce is a great next step in your growing journey. Follow this guide from planting to harvest and you'll do great.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Moderate
Category
Vegetable
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Hardy
Growing Zones
Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Plant Family
Asteraceae
Growing Season
Cool Season
Plant Lifecycle
Annual
Also grows well as
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
30 Days Before Last Frost
Last Chance to Plant
30 Days Before First Frost
When should you plant Red Lettuce?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Red Lettuce Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Red Lettuce's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Expect sprouts in 2–7 days
Growing Tips
- 1Red lettuce thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in hot climates.
- 2Water consistently to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, as lettuce prefers well-drained soil.
- 3Space plants about 6 to 12 inches apart to ensure good air circulation, which helps prevent diseases.
- 4For pest control, use row covers to protect against insects and consider natural predators like ladybugs to manage aphid populations.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
~40
Days to Maturity
20 cm
Mature Height
25 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
45 days
When to Pick
Cut outer leaves or harvest whole head
How to Harvest
- 1Harvest red lettuce when the leaves are large enough to eat but before they become tough or bitter, typically when they are about 4-6 inches long.
- 2Use scissors or a sharp knife to cut the outer leaves about an inch above the base, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing.
- 3Avoid pulling the leaves to prevent damaging the plant and ensure continued growth.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
How to Save Seeds
Saving seeds from your Red Lettuce plant is easy and rewarding! Simply let a few healthy lettuce plants bolt, meaning they grow tall and produce flowers. Once the flowers dry out and turn fluffy, gently collect the tiny seeds by shaking or rubbing the flower heads over a container. Let the seeds dry for a few days in a cool, dry place, then store them in a labeled envelope or jar in a cool, dark spot—like a cupboard or fridge. You’ll be amazed at how simple it is, and you’ll have your very own homegrown seeds ready for next season!
Seed Production
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