Growing Lettuce

lactuca sativa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
      T T              
      P P P P          

(Best months for growing Lettuce in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden, or start in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 46°F and 81°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 8-12 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Carrots, Onions, Strawberries, Beets, Brassicas, Radish, Marigold, Borage, Chervil, Florence fennel, leeks.
  • Avoid growing close to: Parsley, Celery

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
21 Aug 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Wait until this present cold weather passes and we have warmer nights. With spring only a week or two away temps should start to rise a bit, then try again. Lettuce need light to germinate. Keep soil moist and use a fine light watering.
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Aug 19, Karen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can you get Butter Lettuce seed in Australia? I'm find it hard to find or is it known by another name
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Aug 19, Nicole (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Karen, I recently bought Butter lettuce seeds from my local Bunnings! And have had great crops right through winter, just direct sew into garden and pick young leaves to thin them out. I'm in Perth. Regards Nicole
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Aug 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It is called buttercrunch lettuce. Try BOONDIE seeds on the internet.
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Aug 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My apologies - I looked up Boondie seeds and they also have butterhead - there may be more. A suggestion - line a Styrofoam box with some paper or shade cloth on the bottom and fill with soil/potting mix/compost and plant the seeds very close - like 100-200 seeds. Water very carefully until they germinate and keep moist. When they grow you can just trim a few off above the heart of the plant and then let them regrow. Just cut enough at a time for a meal or 3.
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Jul 19, karen spenser (Australia - temperate climate)
can llettuse grow neer a potato and can you put camicals on it and feed it to your kids
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Aug 18, Ntokozo ntuli (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Is it not good to plant iceberg lettuce in summer? Please give me some advices on iceberg lettuce.
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Jun 18, Peggy (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I'm interested in the production of lettuce so I want to know which is the best method for planting. Using hydroponics or soil media and why?
Reply or Post a new comment
20 May 18, Heather (Australia - temperate climate)
I’m in the southern highlands and I can’t seem to grow iceberg lettuce??? Any suggestions why
Reply or Post a new comment
21 May 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
You have indicated temperate and it says plant all year. Cool / Mountain is Sept to May. Do you receive all day sun. They need lots of sun. If still no good suggest you grow another variety.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 51 - 60 of 256 comments
See comments for all plants

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Lettuce

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.