Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

annual0.9×0.2 mzone 6–9light shade🍎 Edible

Profile

Family: Asteraceae
Habit: annual
Height: 0.9 m
Spread: 0.2 m
Growth: very fast
Lifespan: 1 year
First yield: after 1 year
Hardiness: zone 6–9
Shade tolerance: light shade
Soil: Sand, Silt
Soil moisture: semi-dry – moist
pH: 6.6 – 8.8

Flowering & harvest

	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Flowering
Leaf harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible8 of 10

Medicinal3 of 10

Other uses1 of 10

Growing

Lettuce grows best in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a neutral pH (6.0-8.0). It prefers full sun to partial shade and needs even moisture. Sow directly outdoors about two weeks before the last frost, or indoors 6-8 weeks earlier. For a continuous harvest, sow new seed every 2 weeks. High temperatures and drought promote bolting and leaf bitterness.

⚠️ Hazards

Toxicity: slightly toxic

This is no substitute for expert identification. When in doubt, do not eat it.

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