Lettuce Varieties: 4 Types, Top Picks, And Growing Tips
Discover crisphead, butterhead, and loose-leaf greens that elevate every salad.
The Complete Guide to Lettuce Varieties: Types, Growing Tips, and Top Choices
Lettuce stands out as one of the most popular and effortless greens for home gardeners and commercial farmers alike. Whether you’re seeking crisp salads, tender baby greens, or vibrant mixes, the diversity of lettuce varieties guarantees something for every palate and every garden. This comprehensive guide covers the major types of lettuce, highlights standout varieties, and provides essential growing tips to ensure a plentiful, flavorful harvest.
Contents
- Major Types of Lettuce
- Top Lettuce Varieties to Grow
- Lettuce Growing Tips and Considerations
- Frequently Asked Questions
Major Types of Lettuce
The diversity among lettuce varieties is impressive, but almost all can be classified under four main types. Each type brings unique flavors, textures, and growth habits. Understanding these categories helps you choose the perfect lettuce for your garden and table.
1. Crisphead (Iceberg) Lettuce
Crispheadâcommonly known as Icebergâfeatures tightly packed, round heads of pale green, crunchy leaves. While often considered less flavorful and nutrient-dense than other types, its unbeatable crunch and mild flavor make it a classic for salads and burgers.
- Texture: Extremely crisp, almost watery
- Uses: Sandwiches, wedge salads, garnishes
- Growing tips: Prefers cooler temperatures; can be prone to tip burn in hot weather
2. Butterhead (Bibb/Boston) Lettuce
Butterhead varieties, including Bibb and Boston, are renowned for their tender, succulent, soft leaves. Heads form loose or somewhat compact rosettes, with a mild, buttery flavor highly prized by chefs.
- Texture: Silky, buttery, tender
- Uses: Salads, lettuce wraps, gourmet dishes
- Growing tips: Tolerates a range of conditions but prefers cooler, moist weather
3. Romaine (Cos) Lettuce
Romaine, or Cos lettuce, forms elongated, upright heads with crisp ribs and sturdy leaves. Popular in Caesar salads, romaine is admired for its robust crunch and deep flavor. Some varieties display tinges of red or bronze.
- Texture: Crunchy, juicy stalks, sturdy blades
- Uses: Classic Caesar salads, grilling, sandwiches
- Growing tips: Benefits from ample spacing and consistent watering
4. Loose Leaf Lettuce
Loose leaf lettuce varieties are among the easiest to grow, forming open, leafy rosettes rather than heads. Their leaves can be frilly, lobed, or finely divided, and come in a range of green, red, and even bronze tones. These fast growers are ideal for continuous harvesting as baby greens or mature leaves.
- Texture: Soft, sometimes frilled or crinkly
- Uses: Mixed salads, cut-and-come-again harvests
- Growing tips: Succession sow for a steady crop; very bolt-resistant types exist
Top Lettuce Varieties to Grow
With hundreds of named cultivars, the lettuce world has a variety to suit every taste, climate, and garden space. Here are standout varieties from each main type, including time-tested standards and modern innovations.
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Crisphead Lettuce Varieties
- Iceberg â The iconic pale green, round heads most found in grocery stores, prized for their crisp crunch and mild flavor.
- Great Lakes â A classic, reliable crisphead with good heat tolerance for longer harvests in warmer climates.
- Ice Queen â Slightly looser head with exceptionally crunchy leaves and impressive visual appeal.
Tip: Crispheads require a longer growing season than other types and do best in spring and fall.
Butterhead Lettuce Varieties
- Buttercrunch â All-America Selections Winner, forms compact, buttery heads with tender, mildly sweet green leaves.
Days to maturity: 45â55 days. Excellent bolt resistance and attractive for container gardens. - Bibb â Small, round heads ideal for smaller spaces; extra tender, with mild flavor.
- Boston â Larger than Bibb, Boston types have soft, open heads with gentle green color.
Tip: Butterheads excel as the base for sophisticated salads or as wrap leaves.
Romaine (Cos) Lettuce Varieties
- Parris Island Cos â Robust, upright heads with classic crunchy ribs, well-suited to Caesar salads.
- Little Gem â Petite heads, packed with flavor; great for individual salads or grilled halves.
- Freckles â Light green leaves speckled with red for unique visual appeal and a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
Tip: Romaine lettuces typically require 50â60 days to mature, but baby leaves can be harvested sooner.
Loose Leaf Lettuce Varieties
- Black Seeded Simpson â Fast-growing, incredibly tender green leaves with high productivity.
- Red Sails â All-America Selections Winner, offering frilled, burgundy-tinted leaves that resist heat and bolting.
Baby greens in as little as 3 weeks. - Oak Leaf â Delicate lobed leaves with mild flavor; available in green and red forms.
- Green Batavia â Robust heads of wavy, medium-green leaves with drought tolerance and great regrowth after cutting.
Days to maturity: 55 days. Noted for holding up well during harvest and storage. - Ezrilla â Frilled, tender green leaves with excellent flavor. Compact heads; harvest leaves young or mature.
Slow to bolt; disease-resistant; mature in about 50 days.
Salanova® and Specialty Lettuce Varieties
Salanova® is a breeding breakthrough that delivers full-sized, multi-leaf heads perfect for salad mixes. These varieties are specially bred for high productivity, great texture, and extended shelf life.
- Red Incised â Deep purple leaves with green bases; heavily frilled and resistant to bolting.
Days to maturity: 53 days. - Green Incised â Full, heavily frilled green heads with tender, sweet leaves; exceptional for baby leaf production.
Other popular specialty options include ‘Salad Bowl’, ‘Merlot’, and cut-and-come-again mixes that blend several colors and textures.
Lettuce Variety Comparison Table
| Variety Name | Lettuce Type | Days to Maturity | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iceberg | Crisphead | 70-85 | Mild flavor, crispness, classic head |
| Buttercrunch | Butterhead/Bibb | 45-55 | Tender, sweet, bolt-resistant |
| Parris Island Cos | Romaine | 65-70 | Crunchy ribs, heat tolerant |
| Red Sails | Loose Leaf | 45 | Frilly, burgundy-green leaves, heat tolerant |
| Ezrilla | Loose Leaf | 50 | Frilled, spicy-sweet, slow to bolt |
| Green Batavia | Loose Leaf | 55 | Wavy leaves, drought resistant |
| Green Incised | Salanova® | 53 | Heavily frilled, cut-and-come-again |
| Red Incised | Salanova® | 53 | Deep purple, heat and disease resistant |
| Little Gem | Romaine | 50-60 | Miniature heads, sweet crunch |
Lettuce Growing Tips and Considerations
Getting the most out of your lettuce crop depends on both variety selection and proper care. Here are expert-recommended tips for successful lettuce cultivation:
- Plant in cool seasons: Lettuce grows best in early spring and fall when temperatures are below 75°F (24°C).
- Soil and spacing: Plant in loose, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Space plants according to variety: loose-leaf types need 4â6 inches, head types up to 10â12 inches.
- Water consistently: Lettuce needs regular moisture for crisp, tender leaves. Avoid waterlogging soil, which can lead to rot.
- Harvest early and often: Use the âcut-and-come-againâ method with leaf types, or harvest heads once mature. Pick early in the morning for maximum crispness.
- Watch for bolting: Bolting (premature flowering) is triggered by heat; choose bolt-resistant varieties and provide shade cloth during hot spells.
- Succession planting: Sow seeds every 2â3 weeks for a steady supply of fresh lettuce through the season.
Pest and Disease Resistance
- Aphids, slugs, and snails are the most common pests; use row covers or trap crops for prevention.
- Many modern cultivars come with improved resistance to downy mildew, lettuce mosaic virus, and nasonovia aphid; check seed packets for resistance codes like DM (downy mildew), LMV (lettuce mosaic virus), and Nr (nasonovia resistance).
Choosing Lettuce Varieties for Your Needs
- For quick salads: Choose fast-growing loose leaf types such as Black Seeded Simpson, Ezrilla, or Red Sails.
- For classic heads: Buttercrunch or Iceberg types are ideal.
- For cut-and-come-again harvests: Mix leaf and Salanova® types in your seed mix.
- For color variety: Add red or bronze-leafed types like Red Incised or Freckles.
- For heat tolerance: Green Batavia, Red Sails, and several Romaine types are bred for summer resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the most beginner-friendly type of lettuce to grow?
Loose leaf lettuces such as Black Seeded Simpson and Ezrilla are the easiest, maturing quickly and rarely bolting. They’re perfect for gardeners of all levels.
Q: Can I grow lettuce in containers?
Absolutely. Most lettuce varieties, particularly butterhead and loose leaf types, thrive in pots, window boxes, or raised planters. Select shallower containers (at least 6 inches deep) and keep the soil consistently moist.
Q: Which lettuce handles heat best?
Varieties like Green Batavia, Red Sails, and some Romaine cultivars (Parris Island Cos, Little Gem) demonstrate strong heat resistance and slow bolting.
Q: How do I harvest lettuce for maximum productivity?
For loose leaf lettuces, harvest outer leaves as needed, allowing the plant center to keep growing. For head types, wait until the head is firm, then cut at soil level. Succession sowing ensures a continuous supply.
Q: My lettuce turned bitterâwhy?
Bitter lettuce usually results from hot weather or lack of water, which cause the plant to bolt and the leaves to develop bitter compounds. Grow lettuce during cooler seasons and keep soil evenly moist to prevent this.
Q: What are disease resistance codes like DM, Nr, and LMV?
These codes indicate genetic resistance to key lettuce pathogens: DM (downy mildew), Nr (nasonovia ribisnigri aphid resistance), and LMV (lettuce mosaic virus). Choosing varieties with these codes can reduce pest and disease issues.
Conclusion
Lettuce offers an astonishing variety for gardeners and food lovers. By understanding the key types, selecting the right varieties, and following essential growing tips, you can enjoy delicious homegrown greens from spring through fall. Mix and match lettuce shapes, colors, and textures for salad diversity and garden beauty throughout the season.
References
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