Lettuce should be included in everyone ’s list of must - originate vegetables . While lettuce , as a whole , is low on nutrients , calories , and vitamins , it ’s a traditional factor in salads . If you make love eating salads , then you want to farm dissimilar lettuce variety .
When you think of types of dough , you might not agnise that there are dozen of different varieties . Each character has its flavor visibility and growing requirements .
So , whether you want the classical character or something dissimilar and unique , we have a kind of moolah for you on this list . Let ’s teach more about the different lettuce assortment .
19 Different Types of Lettuce To Grow
We broke our list of the expert simoleons varieties down in subdivision . This allows you to take a look at the varieties of each character of moolah . You might be amazed at how many different shekels there are !
Here , the characteristics of 19 different eccentric of lettuce that can be grow in your menage garden .
Looseleaf Lettuce Varieties
on the loose - folio lettuce does n’t form any type of school principal . A caput of lettuce is like the ball of lettuce you might snaffle in the grocery store store . Instead , the plant originate individual leaves that are diffuse aside .
Most loose leaf varieties suppurate in 40 - 55 Clarence Day , so you do n’t necessitate to expect forever and a day to have a fresh salad from your garden . The seeds germinate fast , so within three weeks , you could start out to thin and eat the sprout .
Another reason you might want to develop this case of lettuce is that it ’s the least prone to beetle off in red-hot weather . It has a higher nutritional note value as a bonus .
1. Nevada Summer Crisp Lettuce
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Do you experience somewhere that is raging with frequent drainpipe of lineal sun ? If so , look at Nevada Summer Crisp , which is a miscellanea of gelt that is resistant to heat and sun harm .
This type of wampum has enceinte , large principal with moderately loose folio . The leaves have a balmy taste and a liquid texture .
As you could say by the name , this type originated in Nevada and has first-class tolerance for utmost heat . You will need to plant it in full sunlight in a place with well - draining territory .
It even does well with areas that have downcast body of water levels , so if you ’re prone to drought , Nevada Summer is the manner to go .
2.Deer Tongue Heirloom Lettuce
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Deer Tongue is a popular heirloom cultivar from the eighties that produces arrowhead - shape lettuce leaves , interchangeable to a cervid clapper . That ’s how it receive its name . The leave continue to grow upwards , mould a rosette cast around a fundamental mid - rib .
This heirloom variety is often called “ Matchless , ” and it ’s known for being a heat resistant option . It ’s also dull to bolt , direct only 46 days to mature . That makes this an excellent pick for gardeners in warm or southern climates .
3.New Red Fire Looseleaf Lettuce
As soon as you see New Red Fire Lettuce , you ’ll understand what it has this name . The leaves are a burgundy color , interchangeable to a nicety you would see in fall on tree .
Aside from its beautiful color , this lettuce also has high fiber content that makes it a great increase to your diet . It will avail to fill you up for lunch .
Something to note is that New Red Fire has a acrid taste rather than the sugared flavor that you might receive in other types .
4.Coastline Summer Crisp Lettuce
If you want lettuce with a singular feeling , Coastline Summer Crisp is identifiable by its loose fleeceable frilled leaves on firm stems . It ’s hard to forget the crunch of the leaves , which you do n’t always require with informal - leaf lettuces .
Coastline Summer grows quickly and abundantly . If you ’re looking for a type of lucre that is true and grow without you needing to stress or provide a cluster of speciality fertilizers , you ’ll apprise the ease and copiousness that this variety offers .
For an idealistic harvest , you do need to enrich the stain with compost . Water lightly but often , and be certain that you water at the tooth root rather than the leaves .
Too much water on the leaves will lead to a disease or combust leaves . If you allow the plants dry out out , they will wilt , so aim to give the plant an inch of pee each hebdomad .
5. Lollo Rosso Heirloom Lettuce
This is an Italian heirloom lettuce assortment that bring forth frilly , wavy , red , ruffled leaves . What ’s not to love about that ?
Lollo Rosso is unique lettuce that starts with light green stems that destruction in abstruse , burgundy leave . It has a nutty , soft flavor that matures in 55 - 60 years .
you’re able to begin to reap infant leaves after 30 days ; the mature leaves will have a bitter taste compare to the immature unity .
6.Ice Green Looseleaf Lettuce
Not all lettuce varieties produce abundantly , but Ice Green is one of those that are known for having bighearted harvest .
It has one of the high sprouting rate out of all type , and loot incline to burgeon forth well anyway . You do need to seed it like a shot ; do n’t get these seeds inwardly .
Ice Green has separated leave that grow away from their stems rather than forming a soaked head . They do n’t bunch up together nor overlap .
Butterhead Lettuce Varieties
When compared to loose - folio dough , butterhead forms more of a head word , but it is still loose .
The leaves do n’t create a tight , hard promontory as you find in the grocery store store . rather , these are diffuse heads with cutter leaf and mild flavor .
Butterhead simoleons thrive in cold temperatures , so their flavor change and turns bitter when the temperature start to rise .
Maturity see depend on the variety you select ; some are ready in 35 - 40 days , and others take up to 70 mean solar day .
7.Buttercrunch
You wo n’t find butterhead lettuce more democratic than Buttercrunch . The leaves are the sodding blend of tender yet crunchy .
Gardeners love that the leaves are a vibrant green color that is tinged crimson , forming a stem canker shape around a loosehead .
Buttercrunch is both heat and bolt of lightning resistant , make it a rattling alternative for those who live in fond climates . It mature best in full sun , but if you only have partial shade , Buttercrunch will still grow well .
you’re able to ask a harvest home in 65 years . The heads are 6 - 8 inches wide . Typically , you may part to harvest the outside folio to begin with , using a baseball swing and come again method . Later , you may collect the total head .
8. Flashy Butter Oak Lettuce
This eccentric of lettuce gets its name because the leaves have a form that looks like thin , oak tree tree diagram leaves . It ’s one of the most beautiful types to add to your garden because the leave are forest green with specks of red .
Not only does it appear gorgeous in the garden , but these leaf look great on your plate .
For those who run CSAs or trade their crops at a farmer ’s market , Flashy Butter Oak sells well .
Another cause you might want to grow Flashy Butter is that it ’s one of the cold tolerant varieties .
It does n’t listen produce in colder climates , so if you survive in a northerly area , you could start this type earlier in the outpouring or subsequently into autumn . Flashy Butter grows well in glasshouse and cold frames .
9. Yugoslavian Red
For those looking for lettuce that both tastes fantastic and look lovely in the garden , you do n’t need to front further than Yugoslavian Red .
It ’s ready to harvest in 55 day , and by then , the leafage are showstopping . You ’ll happen undimmed unripened foliage take with burgundy specks , surrounding a yellowish - green mall .
As you might guess from the name , this heirloom lettuce comes from Yugoslavia , arriving in the United States in the 1980s . Not only is it beautiful , but it also has a deep , rich story .
Yugoslavian Red produce loose , round head word that measure 10 - 12 in in diam . That ’s a moment larger than most butterhead scratch . you may cut the outer leaves as you need and harvest the headland later .
Something to consider is that this miscellanea does appreciate cooler temperature . If the temperature get too high , it will bolt , so imbed it early in the bound or well into the crepuscule .
10.Summer Bibb Butterhead Lettuce
Summer Bibb grows in unlike condition , and it ’s much bigger than some other butterhead lettuce varieties .
You need to give this works 18 inches of space around it for optimum increase . So long as you provide it with fecund , moist soil , it spread out abundantly .
Summer Bibb is know for having a scurvy bolt pace . That ’s important ; bolt is when the plant life begin to grow flowers instead of leaves .
When a plant bolts , it thin out the issue of edible leaf . So , the low bolt rate gives you more time to reap all of the leaves .
You should plant Summer Bibb in fond shade . Be sure to harvest when it ’s slightly unripened .
If you wait and harvest too late , the leaves wo n’t be as gentle ; they start to toughen up as they go over their maturity particular date .
11.Tennis Ball Bibb Lettuce
Tennis Ball Bibb is a small kind , as you might wait from its name . This variety physique fire up green question that can suit into the palm of your hand within 55 days of planting . The heads are 6 - 8 inches in diam with escaped , crunchy parting .
Because it ’s such a small mixture , you may raise Tennis Ball Bibb in containers and windowpane box . They are humble - maintenance and perfect for beginners .
Once germinated , you may leave this lettuce to its own equipment . It thrives in unlike conditions , from moist to dry conditions .
12. Tom Thumb Butterhead Lettuce
Most gardener are intimate with Tom Thumb , and if you are n’t , it ’s meter to conform to . It ’s widely popular because it has a scant stature , so it ’s succinct .
If you have a small garden or want to grow pelf in containers or window boxes , Tom Thumb is a grand pick .
Another rationality why gardeners get laid Tom Thumb is that it matures in 55 day , so it ’s fast to maturate . you may produce it in spite of appearance and outside because it handles tight get space .
It ’s not too picky about develop soil , but it will grow better in enriched land . Make certain you often irrigate to keep the soil moist but not soggy .
Iceberg Lettuce Varieties
Sometimes hollo crisphead lettuce , iceberg lettuce does tend to be a second harder to produce . It ’s the type of scratch that you rule in the stores with a slopped head and go out that need to be peeled back one by one .
They take around 80 daytime to mature , and icebergs do n’t tolerate heat well . So , unless you start them betimes in a greenhouse or have a retentive chilly season , you might not have the best success with this eccentric .
13. Crispono Iceberg Lettuce
This wan iceberg variety has everything that you want in this type of lettuce . It has a mild , sweet flavor that produces leaves that curl back when mature . It ’s an well-heeled way to determine that it ’s ready to be reap .
you could grow this variety in different produce conditions . It grows well in window boxes , containers , raised beds , or open in - ground gardens . While it does grow well in amend , alimentary - fertile soil , it can handle pitiful soil .
Crispono lettuce is an excellent pick for wraps . If you care to make lettuce wrap , you involve to total this variety to your garden . It also works well for salad .
14. Hanson Improved
Hanson Improved is a variety that does well in both partial ghost and full sunlight , making it soft for you to line up an available localisation in your garden bottom . It matures in 75 - 85 days , which is average for this type of lettuce .
You ’ll notice that the leave are bright fleeceable with a curly grain on the outside . On the inside , there is a crisp , livid heart .
The leaves and heart both have a modest , scented flavor that does n’t turn bitter as it get to maturity .
Hanson Improved is more heating system - liberal than other smorgasbord . Most iceberg lettuces can not plow red-hot temperatures , but this one does better .
15. Ithaca Iceberg Lettuce
Often , when you go to the storage , you will detect Ithaca sugar . you’re able to name this type by large , overlapping lettuce that folds in on each other tightly .
If you want to utilize this case of lettuce for salad , you need to peel each foliage back one by one .
Ithaca pelf has rigid , crunchy lettuce . It ’s crispy , crunchy texture is why so many people call it Crisphead gelt rather than Ithaca .
If you typically have problems with pests destroy your lettuce craw , gardeners often have success with Ithaca because the lettuce leaves take shape such a tight head word .
It makes it harder for the louse to dig into a hard ball of lettuce rather than tender , individual leaves .
Romaine Lettuce Varieties
Romaine lettuce has gotten a routine of a sorry report of late with multiple recalls in stores . That ’s all the more reason for you to uprise your own in your garden .
Romaine scratch forms a fuddled , sylphlike , stretch head that takes around 70 days to mature . Some stand up to 12 inches tall .
These leaf are crispy with a crunchy texture when you bite into them .
16.Cimarron
Here is an heirloom romaine simoleons that date back into the 1700s . Sometimes referred to as “ Red cos , ” Cimarron has a sweet , balmy look with a crunchy texture . As it grows , it form pale , green pith with burgundy outer leaves .
It takes Cimarron around 60 days to senesce , produce 10 - 12 in farseeing foliage . Not only does it look great in the garden , but Cimarron earn a swell salad .
Gardeners choose Cimarron over other romaine kind because it ’s bolt and heat resistant . It ’s also slightly ice tolerant , and you’re able to start out harvesting the baby leaves before it ’s fully mature .
17.Lau’s Pointed Leaf Romaine Lettuce
Even though Lau ’s Lettuce does n’t look like the typical lucre , it ’s still scrumptious . It looks a bit more like a weed , so be sure to score where you plant it in your garden .
Lau ’s Pointed Leaf grows weak unripe , grandiloquent , fragile leaves that raise well in hot conditions since it originated in Malaysia .
It has one of the fast growth rate for romaine lettuce ; you’re able to wait a harvest time in 30 days – seriously !
Within one month , you could start to remove and eat individual leave . Lau ’s Pointed has perfumed leaves that are firm and cranky even though they might not be as unfaltering as others since it did n’t form tight heads .
18. Parris Island Romaine Lettuce
When you conceive of cos boodle that you buy in the stores , you ’ll think of the tall , narrow straw that you peel back the leafage . That ’s Parris Island Romaine !
you could state it aside from other types because it is tall and has hardy leaves . It ’s ideal for salad or lettuce wrap .
That ’s not the only understanding that people enjoy this mixture . Parris Island has a strong flavor with a crunchy texture .
You should reap before full maturity to uphold the fragrance ; fully mature leaves tend to have a somewhat bitter note that you might not like . Parris Island matures in 50 day .
Mache Or Corn Salad Lettuce Varieties
19. Corn Salad Mache Lettuce
Here is a dissimilar lettuce smorgasbord that has a unique growth type . Corn Salad Mache produce leaves in a wind , rosiness - same pattern with coloured immature , glossy foliage . It stand out in the garden and on the dinner home .
Corn Salad can be harvest leaf by leaf , or you’re able to await for the entire harvest home to be ready before you take it out of the garden . It ’s a cold - resistant type so that you could grow it in the spring and fall .
Corn Salad matures in 50 days if you irrigate on a regular basis because this lettuce loves moist conditions .
How to Grow Lettuce in Your Garden
quick togrow lettuce in your garden ? Lettuce is one of the easiest crop , perfect for tiro . Here are some things you need to know about growing lettuce .
When To Plant
Lettuce is a cool - weather crop , so you should plan to implant the seeds into the ground in the early fountain .
The exact planting date will depend on your USDA hardiness zone , but you should be capable to do so 2 - 4 weeks before your final rime date for your region .
The soil require to be thawed and practicable . Then , you may plant .
germ want temperatures between 55 - 65 ℉ , but as long as the temperatures are above 40 ℉ , you’re able to seed the seeds . It only takes 7 - 10 day for seeds to germinate and sprout .
Amend The Soil
For best results , improve the soil before function . supply some compost , and be sure the reason has a pH level between 6.0 to 7.0 . total your compost or rotted manure 1 - 2 weeks before you project to plant your seeds or seedlings .
Sowing The Seeds
It ’s unspoiled to use succession planting technique when planting lettuce . You do n’t want to plant an entire bed , or you will stop up with more lettuce than you could eat at one time .
Instead , inseminate 1 - 2 rows every other week throughout your growing season . Sowing lettuce seeds is quite light . Make a line in the soil the length of your garden bed .
The line should be ½ inch deep at most . Sprinkle in the seed and cover with soil ; you do n’t need to bury these seed deeply .
piss well and ofttimes for the first few sidereal day . Then , when the seedling are 2 - 3 inches tall , thin to the spatial arrangement indicated on the semen packet of the variety you selected .
Watering Needs
Lettuce does require plenty of water to grow well . You need to irrigate often . The dirt should be dampish but not squashy . The seedlings wo n’t survive tolerate H2O .
Fertilizing
If you transplant seedling into your garden , you will need to feed three weeks by and by . Lettuce needs a steady supply of nitrogen to grow fast .
So , you should consider add up an organic alfalfa repast or a tedious - release fertilizer .
You do require to fertilize even if you do n’t organ transplant seedlings . A month after you seed your ejaculate , plan to add some fertilizer around your seedlings to give them a boost .
You also could spread eatage clippings around the groundwork of the plants when they ’re bigger because , as the clip decompose , they summate nitrogen to the soil .
Final Thoughts
Lettuce is a crop that all gardener postulate to admit in their plan . It ’s prosperous to grow , thrives in most condition , and produces a harvest in a relatively short period .
Give one or more of these estimable loot varieties a try in your vegetable garden this year .
Written By
Amber Noyes was born and raised in a suburban California town , San Mateo . She obligate a master ’s level in gardening from the University of California as well as a atomic number 5 in Biology from the University of San Francisco . With experience working on an constitutional farm , weewee conservation inquiry , farmers ’ markets , and plant baby’s room , she understands what get plants thrive and how we can better understand the connection between microclimate and plant health . When she ’s not on the land , Amber loves informing people of new ideas / things related to horticulture , especially organic gardening , houseplant , and growing works in a small space .
