Did you know that Lettuce contains 90% water and is said to quench thirst better than water? It has been a prized edible plant globally. Available in large varieties Lettuce alone can add flavor and color to salads. Grow it in containers in your kitchen garden as a filler crop and get a continuous supply of a plethora of shapes, flavors and textures.

Buy Lettuce Seeds

• How to Grow Lettuce

Lettuce grows best in rich, fertile soil that is well drained but retains moisture. It grows well in full sun but can also tolerate little shade in hot weather. If left unattended, Lettuce will become bitter and bolt to seed, hence be sure to water it regularly, mulch and fertilize well.

• Growing with Lettuce Seeds

Sow the seeds in clumps 20-30 cm i.e. 8-12 inches apart on the well-worked soil. Or use seedlings to save four weeks of growing time. When the seedlings are about 4cms high, thin all but the strongest seedling. Leaf Lettuce self-seed, but if you are looking for a continuous supply, then sow every four weeks.

• When to Plant Lettuce: Some Lettuce Growing Conditions You Must Fulfill

Lettuces grow easily when planted as soon as the soil has warmed up in the spring. To achieve an early summer crop, sow under cover from winter to early spring, and the transplant. For even earlier Lettuces choose hardy varieties that you can plant after the fall, protecting them with proper measures during winter.

• Lettuce Plant Care: Some Basics to Know

1. Best Soil for Growing Lettuce

• Well-Draining Soil: Lettuce thrives in well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
• Rich in Organic Matter: Incorporate compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil with nutrients. For this, you can use Ugaoo's Organic Veggie Mix for optimal growth. 
• pH Levels: Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal growth.
• Light and Loose Texture: Ensure the soil is light and loose to promote root development and easy moisture absorption.

2. Watering Lettuce Plants

• Consistent Moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to prevent wilting.
• Regular Watering: Water lettuce plants regularly, especially during dry spells.
• Morning Watering: Water plants in the morning to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
• Avoid Overhead Watering: Use drip irrigation or a watering can to direct water to the base of the plants, avoiding wetting the leaves.

3. Best Time to Grow Lettuce in India

• Cool Season Crop: Lettuce prefers cooler temperatures and grows best during the winter months.
• Sowing Period: Sow lettuce seeds from October to February in most parts of India.
• Temperature Range: Ideal growing temperatures range between 15°C to 20°C.
• Shade in Summer: If growing lettuce in warmer months, provide partial shade to protect plants from intense heat.

4. Best Fertilizer for Lettuce

• Balanced Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK 10-10-10).
• Organic Options: Incorporate organic fertilizers like compost or well-rotted manure.
• Frequency of Fertilization: Fertilize lettuce every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
• Avoid Over-Fertilization: Too much fertilizer can lead to excessive leaf growth and poor flavor, so follow recommended dosages.

• How to Harvest Lettuce?

Cut the Lettuce head with a knife just above the ground level, or pull up the whole plant and cut off the root. Pick the leaf from the green varieties as and when you need them, taking outer leaves first. During summers the sugar content in the leaves is high in the morning, hence harvest the plant only in the mornings.

• Pests and Diseases that harm Lettuce

Snails, slugs, and earwigs relish fresh Lettuce. The crop gets bitter due to stress because of irregular watering, feeding, and poor soil conditions.

• Types of Lettuce Plants

There are three main types of Lettuce varieties that you can choose depending on the climate.

1. Crisphead and Butterhead Lettuces

This particular type forms a tight, solid head of foliage, that can be harvested when the head reaches maturity at 8-10 weeks, after which it starts to elongate and flower. The plant does not regrow once its head is cut off. Iceberg, Red Iceberg, and Great Lakes fall under the Crisphead variety. While the soft, loose head forms the Butterhead varieties viz. Boston, Buttercrunch and Mignonette. They can be harvested as a whole head, or their leaves can be picked.

2. Leaf Lettuces

These are also known as the salad bowl staples or lettuces. While some form a Rosette, none have a dense head of Butterhead or Crisphead Lettuces. They are a must have for all vegetable and gardening lovers as they can be quickly picked when needed. The Leaf Lettuces take about 4-6 weeks to mature, so the whole head can be harvested when fully grown. Do not let the headset seed. You can also pick up leaves from these varieties when you see that the plant is growing well. Common Leaf Lettuce varieties include Speckles, Spotted Trout and Australian Yellow.

3. Romaine Lettuce

This variety is known as Romaine Lettuces because they form the main ingredient in Caesar salads. Grown well, these elongated Lettuces with central midribs are sweet. The whole head is ready in 8-10 weeks. Its individual leaves can be easily harvested when needed. Remember that if you harvest the whole head, the second head that comes up will be bitter. The upright nature of the Romaine Lettuces’ allows closer planting. Little Gem is a favorite variety of Romaine Lettuces known.

• Pro Tip For Growing Lettuce

✻ Fun Fact

The ancient Greeks believed that Lettuces aided sleeplessness and hence served it at the end of dinner.

Buy Vegetable Seeds