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

Mesclun is a mix of young salad greens that provides a variety of flavors, textures, and colors in one harvest. This blend often includes lettuces, arugula, mustard greens, spinach, endive, and other leafy greens. Mesclun is a favorite among home gardeners due to its fast-growing nature and ability to produce multiple harvests throughout the season. By growing mesclun, you can enjoy fresh, gourmet salads straight from your garden. Here’s your guide to the top 20 varieties of mesclun to grow, with helpful tips, fascinating facts, and answers to common questions.

Top 20 Mesclun Varieties to Grow

1. Spicy Mix

Tips: Spicy Mix grows best in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender.
Facts: This blend includes arugula, mustard greens, and endive, creating a zesty, peppery flavor. It matures in about 25-35 days and is perfect for adding a kick to salads.

2. Mild Mesclun Mix

Tips: Mild Mesclun Mix thrives in full sun with moist, fertile soil. Water regularly to promote tender leaves.
Facts: This blend features mild-tasting greens like leaf lettuce, spinach, and endive. It matures in about 25-30 days and is great for fresh, delicate salads.

3. Gourmet Salad Blend

Tips: Gourmet Salad Blend grows best in full sun to partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to ensure crisp leaves.
Facts: This mix includes a variety of lettuces, arugula, and mustard greens, offering a balance of mild and spicy flavors. It matures in about 25-30 days and adds variety to salads.

4. Italian Blend

Tips: Italian Blend thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves tender and crisp.
Facts: This blend includes chicory, endive, and arugula, providing a mix of slightly bitter and spicy greens. It matures in about 25-30 days and is perfect for Italian-inspired salads.

5. Asian Greens Mix

Tips: Asian Greens Mix grows well in full sun with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to promote tender, flavorful leaves.
Facts: This blend features mizuna, tatsoi, and mustard greens, offering a zesty, mildly spicy flavor. It matures in about 20-30 days and is great for stir-fries and fresh salads.

6. Mesclun Provençale

Tips: Mesclun Provençale grows best in full sun with fertile, moist soil. Water regularly to ensure tender, flavorful leaves.
Facts: This French blend includes endive, chervil, and leaf lettuces, creating a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It matures in about 20-30 days and is ideal for gourmet salads.

7. Summer Salad Mix

Tips: Summer Salad Mix thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves crisp and tender.
Facts: This blend includes heat-tolerant greens like Swiss chard, kale, and mustard greens. It matures in about 25-30 days and is perfect for warm-weather salads.

8. Winter Greens Mix

Tips: Winter Greens Mix grows well in full sun to partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to prevent the leaves from becoming tough.
Facts: This cold-hardy blend includes spinach, kale, and mustard greens, providing a mix of sweet and spicy flavors. It matures in about 25-30 days and is great for winter salads or sautéing.

9. Heirloom Blend

Tips: Heirloom Blend grows best in full sun with moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly to promote tender, crisp leaves.
Facts: This blend includes heirloom varieties of lettuce, spinach, and chard, offering a mix of colors and mild flavors. It matures in about 25-30 days and adds a gourmet touch to salads.

10. Spicy Mustard Mix

Tips: Spicy Mustard Mix thrives in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and flavorful.
Facts: This blend features a variety of mustard greens, creating a bold, peppery flavor. It matures in about 20-25 days and is perfect for adding a kick to salads and sandwiches.

11. Arugula and Friends

Tips: Arugula and Friends grows best in full sun to partial shade with fertile, moist soil. Water regularly to promote tender leaves.
Facts: This blend includes arugula, mustard greens, and endive, offering a slightly spicy, peppery flavor. It matures in about 20-30 days and is great for fresh salads or sandwiches.

12. Kale Mix

Tips: Kale Mix grows well in full sun with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to ensure tender, sweet leaves.
Facts: This blend includes different varieties of kale, providing a mix of colors and textures with a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 25-30 days and is perfect for fresh eating or sautéing.

13. European Mesclun

Tips: European Mesclun thrives in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Water regularly to promote crisp, flavorful leaves.
Facts: This blend includes a mix of European greens like frisée, mache, and radicchio, offering a slightly bitter, nutty flavor. It matures in about 20-30 days and is great for gourmet salads.

14. Rainbow Blend

Tips: Rainbow Blend grows best in full sun with rich, moist soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and colorful.
Facts: This blend includes red and green lettuces, spinach, and Swiss chard, providing a vibrant, colorful mix of mild-flavored greens. It matures in about 25-30 days and is perfect for fresh salads.

15. Tatsoi Blend

Tips: Tatsoi Blend thrives in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently to promote tender leaves.
Facts: This blend includes tatsoi, mizuna, and mustard greens, offering a mild, slightly spicy flavor. It matures in about 20-25 days and is ideal for fresh salads or stir-fries.

16. Endive Mix

Tips: Endive Mix grows well in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Water consistently to ensure tender leaves.
Facts: This blend features different varieties of endive, offering a slightly bitter, crisp texture. It matures in about 25-30 days and is great for adding texture to salads.

17. Mache Blend

Tips: Mache Blend grows best in full sun with rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to promote tender, sweet leaves.
Facts: This blend includes several varieties of mache, providing a mild, nutty flavor. It matures in about 25-30 days and is perfect for fresh, delicate salads.

18. Frisée Mix

Tips: Frisée Mix thrives in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and flavorful.
Facts: This blend features frisée and other slightly bitter greens, offering a crisp, slightly nutty flavor. It matures in about 25-30 days and is great for gourmet salads.

19. Swiss Chard Mix

Tips: Swiss Chard Mix grows well in full sun with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to promote tender, colorful leaves.
Facts: This blend includes different varieties of Swiss chard, providing a colorful mix of mild-flavored greens. It matures in about 30-35 days and is perfect for fresh salads or sautéing.

20. Greens Galore Mix

Tips: Greens Galore Mix thrives in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and flavorful.
Facts: This blend includes a variety of lettuces, mustard greens, and spinach, providing a balance of mild and spicy flavors. It matures in about 25-30 days and is ideal for fresh salads.

Common Questions About Growing Mesclun

Q: When should I plant mesclun?
A: Mesclun is a cool-season crop that should be planted in early spring or late summer for fall harvests. It grows best in temperatures between 50-70°F (10-21°C).

Q: Can I grow mesclun in containers?
A: Yes, mesclun can be grown in containers as long as the pots are at least 6-8 inches deep with good drainage. Loose-leaf varieties and blends work particularly well in containers.

Q: How long does mesclun take to grow?
A: Mesclun typically takes 20-35 days to mature, depending on the blend and growing conditions. You can start harvesting baby greens as early as 20 days after planting.

**Q: How do I harvest

mesclun?**
A: Mesclun can be harvested using the “cut and come again” method. Simply snip the leaves when they are 3-4 inches tall, leaving the base intact to allow for regrowth. You can get multiple harvests from one planting.

Q: How do I store harvested mesclun?
A: Freshly harvested mesclun 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.