How to Grow Lettuce
Lactuca sativa
Lettuce is a cool-season salad that grows best in full sun (light afternoon shade in summer) and moist, fertile, free-draining soil. Sow little-and-often from spring and again late summer for autumn crops. Keep moisture even to avoid bitterness and bolting; mulch helps in heat. Space appropriately by type (looseleaf, cos, butterhead) and protect from slugs. Harvest as cut-and-come-again leaves or cut whole heads when firm. In hot spells, switch to bolt-resistant varieties and provide temporary shade.
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 5°C — typically early to mid spring. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks earlier for a head start.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Light liquid feed every 2 weeks. Needs consistent moisture to prevent bolting.
- Sow little and often every 2–3 weeks for continuous supply. Provide shade in hot weather to prevent bolting.
Companion Planting
Carrot, Radish, Strawberry
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 5°C+
- Germination temperature
- 10–20°C
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- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 22 cm |
| Row spacing | 27 cm |
| Sow depth | 0.5 cm |
| Mature height | 30 cm |
| Mature spread | 25 cm |
For heading types like iceberg or romaine. Leaf lettuces can be planted closer (15-20 cm) or broadcast for 'cut-and-come-again' harvesting.
Companion Planting
Grows well with
Lettuce's shallow fibrous roots occupy the top 10 cm while carrots develop deep taproots below 15 cm, eliminating root competition. The lettuce canopy also shades soil, keeping carrot roots cool.
▼Radishes germinate in 3-5 days and harvest within 30 days, well before lettuce heads fill the space. Their roots also break soil crust, improving water infiltration for slower lettuce seedlings.
▼Lettuce serves as living mulch beneath strawberry plants, suppressing weeds and retaining soil moisture while its shallow roots avoid competing with strawberry runners.
▼Onion volatiles create a sulphurous scent screen that deters aphids and thrips from locating lettuce by smell. Plant spring onions as a border row for passive pest confusion.
▼Pests & Diseases
Pest Slugs and Snails
Identification: Irregular holes in leaves, seedlings eaten overnight, slime trails on soil and foliage
- Beer traps sunk into the soil near plants
- Nematode biological control (Nemaslug)
- Copper tape around containers and raised beds
- Evening hand-picking
- Ferric phosphate pellets (wildlife-safe)
Pest Aphids (Greenfly and Root Aphid)
Identification: Clusters of green insects on leaves and growing points, white waxy colonies on roots causing wilting, sticky honeydew
- Blast off with a jet of water
- Encourage natural predators (ladybirds, hoverflies)
- Soft soap spray for leaf aphids
- Resistant varieties for root aphid
- Pyrethrum-based contact spray for leaf aphids
Pest Cutworms
Identification: Young plants toppled at the base, fat grey-brown caterpillars found just below the soil surface
- Search soil around damaged plants and destroy caterpillars
- Cultivate soil before planting to expose larvae to birds
- Nematode biological control
- No effective chemical treatments available to home gardeners
Disease Lettuce Downy Mildew Bremia lactucae
Symptoms: Pale yellow angular patches on upper leaf surfaces, white fluffy growth on undersides, leaves brown and collapse
Treatment: Remove affected leaves immediately. Destroy badly infected plants.
Prevention: Space plants well for airflow. Water at soil level, not overhead. Choose resistant varieties. Avoid overcrowding.
Disease Grey Mould (Botrytis) Botrytis cinerea
Symptoms: Fluffy grey mould on leaves and stems, often starting on damaged or dying tissue, plants rot from the base
Treatment: Remove affected plants and debris promptly. Improve ventilation.
Prevention: Space plants well. Avoid overhead watering. Remove dead leaves. Ensure good air circulation.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 5°C |
| Germination temperature | 10–20°C |
| Base growth temperature | 5°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 8.5h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Lettuce?
- Plant Lettuce 22cm apart with 27cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Lettuce?
- Lettuce is ready to harvest approximately 35 days after transplanting.
- What grows well with Lettuce?
- Lettuce grows well with carrot, radish, strawberry.
- Is Lettuce frost hardy?
- Lettuce is classified as Hardy.
