Top 20 Varieties of Lettuce to Grow: Tips, Advice, and Facts

Lettuce is a fast-growing, versatile leafy green that is a staple in salads and many dishes worldwide. With a wide range of textures, flavors, and colors, lettuce offers something for every gardener and chef. Whether you prefer tender butterheads, crisp romaines, or colorful loose-leaf types, there’s a variety of lettuce to suit your taste. Lettuce grows best in cool weather, making it ideal for spring and fall gardens. Here’s your guide to the top 20 lettuce varieties to grow, with tips, facts, and answers to common questions.

Top 20 Lettuce Varieties to Grow

1. Buttercrunch

Tips: Buttercrunch grows best in full sun to partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender.
Facts: This butterhead variety has soft, tender leaves with a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 50-65 days and is perfect for fresh salads or wraps.

2. Romaine (Cos)

Tips: Romaine thrives in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water regularly to promote crisp, flavorful leaves.
Facts: Romaine produces tall, crisp heads with a slightly sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 70-75 days and is great for Caesar salads or grilling.

3. Red Sails

Tips: Red Sails grows best in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves crisp.
Facts: This loose-leaf variety features deep red leaves with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It matures in about 45-55 days and adds color to salads and sandwiches.

4. Green Ice

Tips: Green Ice grows well in full sun with rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves crisp and tender.
Facts: This loose-leaf variety produces bright green leaves with a crisp texture and mild flavor. It matures in about 45-55 days and is perfect for fresh salads.

5. Butterhead (Boston)

Tips: Butterhead lettuce prefers partial shade to full sun with rich, moist soil. Water consistently to prevent bitterness.
Facts: Known for its soft, tender leaves and mild, buttery flavor, butterhead matures in about 60-70 days and is perfect for salads and sandwiches.

6. Lollo Rosso

Tips: Lollo Rosso thrives in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure tender, crisp leaves.
Facts: This frilly, red-tinged loose-leaf variety has a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It matures in about 50 days and adds texture and color to salads.

7. Little Gem

Tips: Little Gem grows best in full sun with rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves crisp.
Facts: This miniature romaine variety produces small, compact heads with a sweet, crisp texture. It matures in about 55-65 days and is perfect for fresh salads or grilling.

8. Oakleaf

Tips: Oakleaf thrives in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently to promote tender leaves.
Facts: This loose-leaf variety has lobed, oak-like leaves with a mild, sweet flavor. It matures in about 40-50 days and is great for fresh eating or adding to sandwiches.

9. Salad Bowl

Tips: Salad Bowl grows well in full sun to partial shade with rich, moist soil. Water regularly to ensure crisp, tender leaves.
Facts: This loose-leaf variety produces large, light green leaves with a mild, sweet flavor. It matures in about 45-55 days and is perfect for salads and wraps.

10. Butterhead Marvel of Four Seasons

Tips: Marvel of Four Seasons prefers full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves tender.
Facts: This heirloom butterhead variety produces tender, red-tinged leaves with a mild, sweet flavor. It matures in about 55-65 days and is great for fresh salads.

11. Rouge d’Hiver

Tips: Rouge d’Hiver grows best in full sun with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to promote crisp, flavorful leaves.
Facts: This French heirloom romaine variety has red-tinged leaves with a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 60 days and is perfect for fresh eating or grilling.

12. Merlot

Tips: Merlot thrives in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure tender leaves.
Facts: This deep red loose-leaf variety has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and adds color to salads. It matures in about 50-60 days and is perfect for fresh eating.

13. Parris Island Cos

Tips: Parris Island Cos grows best in full sun with well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves crisp.
Facts: This romaine variety produces tall, crisp heads with a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 65-70 days and is great for Caesar salads and wraps.

14. Freckles

Tips: Freckles grows well in full sun with rich, moist soil. Water regularly to promote tender, flavorful leaves.
Facts: This heirloom variety produces green leaves with red speckles and a mild, sweet flavor. It matures in about 50-60 days and is perfect for fresh eating.

15. Bronze Mignonette

Tips: Bronze Mignonette thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. Water consistently to ensure tender leaves.
Facts: This butterhead variety has bronze-tinged leaves with a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 50-60 days and adds color and texture to salads.

16. Black Seeded Simpson

Tips: Black Seeded Simpson grows best in full sun to partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and sweet.
Facts: This loose-leaf variety produces bright green leaves with a mild, crisp flavor. It matures in about 45-55 days and is great for fresh salads and wraps.

17. Summer Bibb

Tips: Summer Bibb thrives in partial shade to full sun with well-drained soil. Water regularly to prevent bitterness in the leaves.
Facts: This butterhead variety produces soft, tender leaves with a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 60-70 days and is perfect for salads and sandwiches.

18. Cimmaron

Tips: Cimmaron grows best in full sun with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to promote crisp, flavorful leaves.
Facts: This heirloom romaine variety has red-tinted leaves with a crisp texture and mild flavor. It matures in about 60-70 days and is great for fresh eating or grilling.

19. Drunken Woman

Tips: Drunken Woman grows well in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves tender.
Facts: This butterhead variety produces large, ruffled leaves with red edges and a mild, sweet flavor. It matures in about 55-65 days and adds color and texture to salads.

20. Valmaine

Tips: Valmaine thrives in full sun with rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure crisp, tender leaves.
Facts: This romaine variety produces dark green leaves with a crisp texture and mild flavor. It matures in about 60-70 days and is perfect for fresh salads or grilling.

Common Questions About Growing Lettuce

Q: When should I plant lettuce?
A: Lettuce is a cool-season crop and should be planted in early spring or late summer for fall harvests. It grows best in temperatures between 45-75°F (7-24°C).

Q: Can I grow lettuce in containers?
A: Yes, lettuce can be grown in containers as long as the pots are at least 6-8 inches deep with good drainage. Loose-leaf varieties like ‘Red Sails’ or ‘Salad Bowl’ are ideal for container gardening.

Q: How long does lettuce take to grow?
A: Lettuce typically takes 40-70 days to mature, depending on the variety. Loose-leaf varieties like ‘Green Ice’ may be ready in about 40-50 days, while heading types like ‘Romaine’ can take up to 70 days.

Q: How do I know when lettuce is ready to harvest?
A: Loose-leaf lettuce can be harvested by picking the outer leaves as needed, while heading varieties like romaine or butterhead are ready to harvest when the heads are firm and fully formed.

Q: How do I store harvested lettuce?
A: Freshly harvested lettuce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. To keep it fresh longer, wrap the leaves in a damp paper towel and store them in a plastic bag or container.