How to grow Lettuce

At a glance

🌱 Grow your Lettuce with GardenDex

• Reminders to water it, timed to your weather and whether it's in a pot
• Frost and disease alerts for your garden, the night before
• Follow it from seed to harvest, and see what your garden grew in $
• Point your camera at any plant or bug to identify it

🗓️ When to plant

Sow in early spring as soon as soil is workable, or in late summer for autumn harvest. In mild climates, succession-sow every 2–3 weeks for continuous supply.

🌰 How to plant

1. Sow seeds directly into prepared soil or shallow containers, pressing lightly into the surface without burying deeply.
2. Keep soil moist until seedlings emerge (5–10 days).
3. Thin seedlings to desired spacing once they have true leaves.
4. Alternatively, transplant seedlings started indoors 4–6 weeks before planting out.

💧 Care

• Water regularly to maintain consistent moisture; inconsistent watering causes bitterness and bolting.
• Mulch around plants to retain moisture and keep soil cool.
• Provide afternoon shade in hot climates to extend harvest and prevent premature bolting.
• Feed with balanced, nitrogen-rich fertiliser every 3–4 weeks if soil is poor.
• Thin seedlings early to reduce competition and improve air circulation.

🧺 Harvest

Harvest outer leaves once plants have 4–6 leaves, or cut the entire head just above soil level in the morning for best crispness. Leaf varieties can be picked continuously; head lettuce is typically harvested all at once.

🐛 Common problems

Aphids: Spray with water to dislodge, or use insecticidal soap on severe infestations.

Slugs and snails: Handpick, use copper tape barriers, or scatter diatomaceous earth around plants.

Powdery mildew: Improve air circulation by spacing plants wider and removing affected leaves.

Bolting (premature flowering): Provide shade, consistent moisture, and harvest before heat stress triggers flowering.

🤝 Companion plants

💚 Good neighbours: Radishes, Carrots, Beets, Strawberries

⚠️ Keep apart from: Cabbage, Parsnips

More vegetables guides