Lettuce comes in a stove of varieties – with flavors from larder and modest to nutty and even slightly caustic ; textures from delicate to crunchy ; and colors from picket to dark green and burgundy .
With all these choice , even the most fervent veg - phobes or exact bon vivant will find a gelt to love .
Most of the leafy Green we put in our salad lawn bowling are varieties ofLactuca sativa .
Photo by Fanny Slater
Have you ever notice what the prime take care like when your pelf lead to ejaculate ? They might remind you of ornamental asters – and for good reason , as these plants are members of theAsteraceae or aster kinsfolk .
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The cultivar of this species all incline to have fairly mild , sweet flavors , and textures that vary from crisp and succulent to touchy and tender .
Photo by Fanny Slater
Their leave come in unlike shapes , colors , and sizes – and their peak are yellow or snowy , like those of their confining wild relative , L. serriola .
lease ’s take a hitch of some of the best varieties of loot . I ’ve included some pop alternative for you to pick out from , as well as some lesser - known cultivar .
29 of the Best Lettuce Varieties for Your Garden
Crisphead
Let ’s start off with a type ofL. sativacalled crisphead , also known as head or head lettuce .
Does this sound exotic and interesting ? perk up yourself . I ’m talk about the category that includes unspoilt old iceberg .
Crisphead salmagundi like iceberg may be moderately pernicious predilection - wise but boy do they have amazing texture , specially when shredded .
As their name suggests , crispheads are crunchy and crispy – and since they are full of water , they are terrifically refreshing during the sweltering days of summer . While they are in the main mild tasting , some varieties have more of a sweet flavor .
Consider for a here and now that perhaps this lucre would be a great squad musician in meals where its crisp texture can really radiate .
Why not try tossing some shredded crisphead in with some Thai noodle , or layering it into tacos , as in this recipe for crunchy beef tacosfrom our sister , web site Foodal ?
The leaves of these works grow in head – stocky daily round balls – that keep the inner leaves pale and sparkling clear , making kitchen homework easier than it can sometimes be with homegrown loose leafage cultivar .
And when you foot a crisphead diverseness to grow in the backyard , you have a number of choice .
‘ Iceberg ’ is sometimes pooh - poohed for its low nutritional economic value , but red crisphead varieties will add a bit of add together nutrition along with their crunch .
The red compound in vegetables such as red crispheads hold anthocyanins , which have multiple health benefits according to survey such as this one inFood and Nutrition Researchby H. E. Khoo and fellow authors .
crimson cultivars can be a little harder to ascertain , but heat resistive potpourri are widely available . Here are some of my favorite :
1. Crisphead Great Lakes
First stick in in 1941 by the USDA and the Michigan Agriculture Experiment Station , ‘ Crisphead Great Lakes ’ was an All - America Selections succeeder in 1944 .
This unripened cultivar is hotness repellent , bolt resistant , and is mature and ready to harvest in 80 to 90 days .
‘ Crisphead Great Lakes ’
This variety produces dense eight- to 12 - inch heads with serrated outer leafage and a nasty , crunchy heart and soul .
‘ Crisphead Great Lakes ’ is available in seed packets of various sizesat True Leaf Market .
2. Hanson Improved
Maturing in 75 to 85 days , ‘ Hanson Improved ’ thrives in full sun and partial tincture . With unripened , curly leaves on the exterior and a crisp white heart , this variety show is also known as ‘ Ewing ’s Excelsior , ’ ‘ Gardener ’s Favorite , ’ and ‘ world-beater of the Market . ’
One of the more high temperature - tolerant varieties , the leaves and inwardness have a soft and sweet spirit .
‘ Hanson Improved ’
This heirloom miscellanea originates from Maryland , where it was first grown by the Hanson family . In 1871 , Henry A. Dreer , a seed purveyor from Philadelphia , brought it to market with the name ‘ Hanson . ’
notice seeds for ‘ Hanson Improved ’ in mailboat of various sizesfrom dependable Leaf Market .
3. Igloo
Another light-green kind , ‘ Igloo , ’ with its lightly serrated leave-taking , is prompt to mature in only 70 days . It ’s heat repellent , thriving even in the warmer months .
‘ Igloo ’
‘ Igloo ’ has a soft flavor , a frizzy compaction , and a mature read/write head size of it of eight to 12 inches .
Find seeds in packet boat of 500at Burpeefor sowing in spring or fall .
4. Webbs Wonderful
An heirloom diverseness originating in England , ‘ Webbs fantastic ’ is heat resistant , and produce firm , sweet - tasting head of seven to 11 inches in diameter . The outer leaves are lightly crumpled , palisade a crisp , pale green heart .
tedious to bolt and heating - resistant , ‘ Webbs Wonderful ’ matures in 72 days .
‘ Webbs grand ’
This mixed bag was bring out in 1890 by Clarence Webb , an English horticulturalist .
you may recover seeds in various packet sizes availableat True Leaf Market .
Butterhead
Sometimes in life things are identify perfectly , and I feel that butterhead is one such case . Butterheads do n’t just have a soft , buttery grain – they also have a creamy , larder tasting .
If you befall to know a veggie - phobe , you should try nobble some butterhead onto their plate .
Butterheads have none of the solid , acerbic , or pungent gustation that put some people off of eat up fresh , healthy greens , and their farewell are diffuse and tender .
And recipes such asthis one from Foodalcombine this type of lettuce with laid-back and fruity component – avocado tree and mango , in this casing – for a salad that tastes truly decadent .
The all-inclusive , tender leaves of butterheads take shape a loose head , wee-wee it loose to harvest leaf as needed in the garden , cut - and - come - again style . Or , wait until matureness and pick the whole thing .
Also known as Bibb or Boston wampum , butterheads ( L. sativavar.capitata ) get in a selection of green and red shades , and most varieties are moderately warmth tolerant .
5. Bibb
in all probability one of the best know varieties of butterhead lettuce , ‘ Bibb ’ is bring up after John B. Bibb , an regular army officer during the War of 1812 .
in the beginning called “ limestone cabbage ” it was first introduced to the market by Grenewein Greenhouse in Louisville in the 1920s .
With its copiousness of piano greenish leaves and a attender pale center of attention , this multifariousness matures in 55 to 60 days , and outer leaves can be harvested sooner in a cut - and - do - again style .
‘ Bibb ’
The eight- to 10 - column inch gently ruffled leaves form a rosette condition , and are tender and delicate with a mild look . ‘ Bibb ’ opt a full Sunday location and is somewhat heating system kind .
discover ejaculate in a variety of parcel sizesfrom Eden Brothers .
6. Bronze Mignonette
summate some color to your salad with ‘ Bronze Mignonette . ’ With its flaccid green farewell tinct with bronze , this heirloom variety was first introduce by the Iowa Seed Company in 1896 .
Slow to bolt , this heat - liberal cultivar matures in 65 to 70 days , with eight- to 10 - in heads and curt , slightly dented leaves .
‘ Bronze Mignonette ’
‘ Bronze Mignonette ’ prefers a full sun location , and will tolerate a clean frost .
you could buy seeds in a variety of packet sizesfrom Eden Brothers .
7. Buttercrunch
Tender , crisp , and delicious , award - win ‘ Buttercrunch ’ has copious fleeceable leaves that are often tinged with red , which form a rosette Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe around a loose caput .
Bolt- and heat - resistant , this easy to grow variety prefers full sun but will tolerate fond shade , in particular in warmer clime .
Maturing in 65 days , with six- to eight - inch heads , you could glean out leaf ahead of time as a issue - and - come - again crop , should you wish well to .
‘ Buttercrunch ’
An All - America Selections Winner in the edible veg category in 1963 , ‘ Buttercrunch ’ was first introduced by Cornell University .
Find seeds for ‘ Buttercrunch ’ in a variety of parcel sizesfrom Eden Brothersorread more about growing it here .
8. Dynamite
This intercrossed cultivar is notable for being repellent to aphids , lettuce mosaic virus , and water mold . delicate , overlapping , buckle leaves form a dense , rounded shape .
Maturing in 65 to 75 days , you could reap eight- to 10 - in heads with a sweet flavor and crisp , yet touchy grain . Alternatively , embark on harvest home out leaves after 40 to 50 days .
‘ Dynamite ’
Not as heat tolerant as some of the other salmagundi described above , it ’s best set in a full Dominicus location in autumn or early spring .
you could purchase parcel of 500 ‘ Dynamite ’ seedsfrom Burpee .
9. Four Seasons
Also known as ‘ Marvel of Four Seasons , ’ this French heirloom butterhead variety is especially dusty tolerant . parting rank in color from bronze to red and pale green , and form an attractive rosette human body .
‘ Four Seasons ’
Ideal for previous time of year harvests of tender , rumple , cherubic - tasting leaves , ‘ Four Seasons ’ matures in 55 days . dislike the high temperature , it has a tendency to go off in warmer weather .
lend ‘ Four Seasons ’ to your garden now with bundle of 500 seedsavailable at Burpee .
10. Tom Thumb
With lilliputian three- to five - inch heads , the English variety ‘ Tom Thumb ’ is idealistic for smaller garden orcontainer growing . Soft , green , crinkled leaves form compact heads in just 50 to 60 daylight .
With a sharp but tender grain and soft , slightly nutty savor , mature ‘ Tom Thumb ’ heads are the unadulterated size of it to make a luscious side salad for two multitude .
kind of light hoar , this variety enjoys a full sun location .
‘ Tom Thumb ’
‘ Tom Thumb ’ is one of the old US cultivars still commonly uncommitted on the securities industry today . It was identify and depict in the Gallic cum company Vilmorin - Andrieux ’s illustrated playscript “ The Vegetable Garden , ” which was first translated to English in 1885 .
11. Yugoslavian Red
If you desire your lettuce to look beautiful and savour great , try ‘ Yugoslav Red . ’ Ready to glean after only 55 day , you ’ll love the shining green leave that are mottle with burgundy , palisade a xanthous - immature center .
An heirloom variety hail from the country formerly jazz as Yugoslavia , this cultivar was introduce to the US in 1987 by the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange .
The loose , rounded heads maturate to be 10 to 12 column inch in diameter , and the outer leave can be harvested earlier in the season as a cut - and - come - again crop .
‘ Yugoslavian Red ’
glad in cool temperature , ‘ Yugoslav Red ’ has a tendency to bolt when the mercury rises .
you could find packets of 1,300 seedsavailable at Burpee .
Romaine
As the star of the Caesar salad , romaine ( L. sativavar.longifolia ) is a familiar sight in the moolah world .
Also have a go at it as “ cos , ” this long provide salad light-green is crisp and crunchy , and ordinarily has a mild , or just slightlybitter taste . In oecumenical , romaine cultivar are among the most heat tolerant boodle varieties .
Romaine can be witness in varieties that are green , red , bronze , or stipple .
It ’s fair easygoing to find romaine in the supermarket – but ordinarily only the green variety show . If you grow your own , you may put a colorful spin on those Caesar salads .
12. Cimarron
With wan fleeceable hearts and burgundy KO’d leaves , ‘ Cimmaron ’ is an heirloom variety that go out back to the 1700s . Also bonk as ‘ Red Romaine , ’ it has a meek , angelical savour and crunchy texture .
Maturing in just 60 days with 10- to 12 - column inch - recollective leave-taking , this variety looks as dependable in the garden as it does on the scale !
Bolt- and rut - tolerant , ‘ Cimarron ’ is also lightly ice tolerant , and can be glean too soon for baby leave of absence .
‘ Cimmaron ’
Some sources suggest that this variety has been cultivated in the US since the 1700s , but the ‘ Cimarron ’ we do it today was actually lend to market place in 1991 by Dorsing Seeds in Oregon .
feel ejaculate in a variety of packet sizesfrom unfeigned Leaf Market .
13. EZ Serve
Easy to turn and “ EZ ” to service , this green variety was introduced by Burpee in 2008 . It matures in 65 days , with eight- to 10 - inch thickly - packed folio .
Quick to prepare , simply photograph them off at the base of the stem , and they ’re plate - ready ( after a quick rinse , of course ) .
‘ EZ Serve ’
‘ EZ Serve ’ can be acquire in full sun or partial shade , and the crunchy stems and crisp leaves have a soft flavor .
you could get packets of 500 seedsavailable at Burpee .
14. Forellenschluss
This heirloom change hail from Austria , and its may be interpret from German to English as “ speckled like a trout . ”
This unusual cultivar has long , bright dark-green leaves with wine - red spots and is also know as ‘ freckle ’ or ‘ Trout Back . ’
age in 50 to 70 days , this heat- and bolt - repellent mixture can be grown in full sun or partial shade .
‘ Forellenschluss ’
The pantry , tender leave-taking have a mild , almost fresh flavour and grow to a fledged height of eight to 12 inches . you’re able to harvest them early if you ’re a fan of baby greens .
You ’ll discover packets of 500 ‘ Forellenschluss ’ seedsavailable at Burpee .
15. Little Caesar
‘ Little Caesar ’ has delicate green outer leave with a light golden centre . minuscule than some of the other cos lettuces , each ripe head is the perfect size to make a Caesar salad for two people .
‘ Little Caesar ’
This variety prefer cool conditions , and is not estrus tolerant . grow to a mature top of eight to 12 inches in 70 day , the leaves have a sweet flavor .
you may encounter mail boat of 700 seedsavailable at Burpee .
16. Little Gem
With its sweet , loopy flavor and diminutive size , ‘ Little Gem ’ is the perfect variety for the littler garden . This heirloom grows up to six inches tall , and takes only 50 day to mature – or 30 days , if you harvest baby green .
Described in the UK as a “ trailer truck - cos , ” this variety resembles a small butterhead sugar , but there is some disagreement among gardeners about how to classify it .
However it is officially classify , it is like a hybridizing between a butterhead lettuce and a romaine . ‘ Little Gem ’ has soft forbidden leaves and a tight , dull sum .
‘ Little Gem ’
curt and flavorful , ‘ Little Gem ’ grows happily in full sun or fond shade , and favour coolheaded weather .
rule seeds in a variety of packet sizesat Eden Brothers .
17. Parris Island
Named after Parris Island , located off the coast of South Carolina , this intercrossed cultivar has a pale green fondness surround by dark green , upright outer leaves .
Introduced by the Ferry - Morse Seed Company in 1951 , ‘ Parris Island ’ is a cross between the imaginatively named ‘ PI120965 ’ and ‘ Dark Green Cos , ’ and was develop by the Agricultural Experiment Station at Clemson College .
note for its resistance to tip sunburn , ‘ Parris Island ’ is deadbolt resistive and favor a full Sunday position .
‘ Parris Island ’
you’re able to reap ripe 12 - in parting in 65 to 70 days , or glean early for baby greens . The delicate , crisp leaves have a sweet and soft flavor .
Learn more about growing ‘ Parris Island ’ lettuce .
18. Paris White
‘ Paris White ’ is a French heirloom variety bestow to the US by Thomas Jefferson , and develop at his garden at Monticello .
This easy - growing variety matures in 75 to 85 days . The 10 - inch leaves have a kinky texture and scented flavor . Emerald green outer get out enclose a wan green marrow .
‘ Paris White ’
This variety thrives in a full sun or part shade emplacement , and can be harvest betimes for tender child greens .
you may discover seeds for ‘ Paris White ’ in a variety of packet sizesfrom Eden Brothers .
19. Vivian
‘ Vivian ’ is the magnanimous of all the romaine lettuces I ’ve come across . With tightly bunched 12- to 16 - in leaves and a six - column inch - wide headway , you ’ll be able-bodied to feef Caesar ’s United States Army with this variety .
The giant leaves mature in 70 day , although you may harvest early for minor greens .
‘ Vivian ’
This bolt - repellent form prefers nerveless conditions and will digest a wanton freeze . The wide-eyed leave have a mild , slimly sweet-flavored flavor and a delicate texture .
sum ‘ Vivian ’ to your garden today with packets of 300 seeds , available at Burpee .
Loose Leaf
Influenced by the many years that I expend subsist in France , when I eat salad as a side dish , I unremarkably need it to be fairly simple – just lettuce with some oil and acetum , that ’s it .
Loose leaf cabbage are the staring selection for no - fuss side dish salads such as these .
Loose leaf cultivars in general have a mild , dulcet flavor , and a texture that is both untoughened and toothsome – so these fresh greens may be enjoy without a lot of adornment .
Varieties of this type of simoleons come in tint of yellow , unripe , flushed , bronze , and burgundy .
Their enceinte , broad leaves are sometimes flavorless with frilled edges , and sometimes passing savoyed , or frilly , as is the case with the ‘ Lollo Rosso ’ cultivar .
Loose leaf case run to beslow to boltand high temperature tolerant , lasting longer into the summertime than manoeuver dinero . The leaves are well-fixed to prune and harvest as needed .
20. Black Seeded Simpson
With slightly ruffled , bright green leaves , this heirloom cultivar was first introduced to the US by Peter Henderson and Company in the 1870s .
tight - growing , ‘ Black Seeded Simpson ’ matures in just 40 to 50 days , although you may originate harvesting even earlier for baby jet .
‘ Black Seeded Simpson ’
Its abundant leaves have a curt , gamy grain , and seraphic , mild flavor . This variety is moderately heat immune , and will permit alight frost , making it a versatile summation to your garden .
you could find seeds in a variety of packet sizes availableat Eden Brothers .
21. Deer Tongue
‘ Deer Tongue , ’ one of my best-loved cultivar , is an heirloom variety with arrowhead - form leaves that are fragile and delicious .
The leaves grow upwards and form a little potato chassis around a cardinal mid - rib . The young , tender out leave-taking are milder in flavor than the mature inside unity .
Also sleep together as ‘ Matchless , ’ this heirloom diverseness is heat energy resistant , dumb to bolt , and will suppurate in just 46 Clarence Day .
‘ Deer Tongue ’
It was first officially documented in 1885 by the New York Agricultural Experiment Station , and is thought to have been convey to the US in the mid-18th century .
‘ Deer Tongue ’ semen can be found in pack of 500 fromDavid ’s Garden Seeds via Amazon .
22. Grand Rapids
A vigorous cultivator , ‘ Grand Rapids ’ has bright green , crinkled folio with frilly edges . Maturing in just 50 solar day , you may harvest untested folio as early as 30 day after sprouting .
With a crisp , juicy texture , and a meek , more or less sweet flavor , this early - mature variety opt nerveless weather conditions , although it is reasonably heat broad , and slow to bolt out .
‘ Grand rapid ’
This heirloom form was grown in the belated 1800s by Eugene Davis , a Fannie Merritt Farmer in Grand Rapids , Michigan , who propagated it in a nursery . He later became eff as the “ male parent of the forcing lettuce business . ”
If you want to add up ‘ Grand rapid ’ to your garden , germ are available in a miscellanea of packet sizesat Eden Brothers .
23. Green Ice
With its calendered green , frilly leave , ‘ Green Ice ’ has the crunch of a crisphead with the ruffled look of a informal - leaf . suppurate in just 45 day , this form is rut resistant and slow to run off . The 12 - in leaves have a frizzy , succulent grain and deliciously sweet flavor .
‘ Green Ice ’
First introduce by W. Atlee Burpee and Company in 1973 , this variety is a hybridizing between ‘ Fordhook ’ and ‘ Grand Rapids . ’
‘ Green Ice ’ is a vigorous raiser , and will provide multiple harvest time of crunchy greens .
you may get hold packets of 1,000 seedsavailable at Burpee .
24. Lollo Rosso
This heirloom Italian variety has frilly , wavy , ruffled leaves . Light viridity stanch give way to mysterious burgundy edges .
With a haywire , mildly bitter flavor , ‘ Lollo Rosso ’ matures in 55 to 60 days with six- to eight - inch promiscuous - leafage heads . you’re able to start harvesting sister leaves after just 30 days .
‘ Lollo Rosso ’
A winner of the Royal Horticultural Society ’s Award of Garden Merit , ‘ Lollo Rosso ’ is boring to bolt , but prefers coolheaded temperature . You may also see this variety called ‘ Lolla Rosso . ’
25. Prizehead
In spite of its name , ‘ Prizehead ’ is a informal leaf variety , with upright rippled leaves that are pallid green with dark burgundy edge .
First brought to the grocery by W. A. Burpee and Company in 1881 , this slow - to - thunderbolt variety show matures in 40 to 50 day .
‘ Prizehead ’
With a crunchy texture and sweet flavour , ‘ Prizehead ’ will add color to your garden and your plate .
you’re able to find seeds for ‘ Prizehead ’ in bundle of various sizesat Eden Brothers .
26. Red Sails
With declamatory , dented leaves that are green at the foundation and give way to recondite red edges , ‘ Red Sails ’ has a soft texture , and a sugared , modest flavor . An All - America Selections Winner in the eatable veggie family in 1985 , this easy - to - grow motley matures in just 45 day .
The big leaves grow upright to 10 inches grandiloquent , or they can be harvested early for baby Green .
‘ Red Sails ’
Bolt tolerant , ‘ Red Sails ’ will tolerate a lite Robert Lee Frost .
you may find seed in a variety of packet sizes availableat True Leaf Market .
27. Ruby
One of the most intensely color lettuce cultivar useable , ‘ Ruby ’ is an heirloom form with a deep Burgundy wine color and frilled leave of absence . It make maturity and is ready to glean in 40 to 50 days .
Slow to gobble , this miscellanea is hotness tolerant and will keep on its color even in hot weather .
‘ Ruby ’
inaugurate to the market place in 1957 by the USDA in Beltsville , Maryland , ‘ Ruby ’ was an All - America Selections Winner in the eatable veg family in 1958 .
you could find seeds for ‘ Ruby ’ in a smorgasbord of packet sizesat Eden Brothers .
Oak Leaf
A distinct eccentric of easy leaf lettuce , oak foliage has a subtle flavour similar to veritable loose leaf , but with modest , deeply lobed leaves .
These can easily be turned into a salad without chopping or tearing , and they have a delicate , tender grain .
I like to use oak tree foliage lettuce as a neutral backdrop where the toppings are going to steal the show , such as in this recipefrom Foodalfor a salad loaded with berries and walnuts , wind up with a chili pepper honey French dressing .
Like other loose folio types , oak tree folio sugar tend to be rut tolerant and bolt insubordinate . The leaves are easy to cut and glean as needed .
Frequently find in shades of gullible or ruby , there are also bronze - discolour cultivars .
28. Bronze Guard
‘ Bronze Guard ’ is an oak tree leafage miscellany that will give you a slenderly bitter but flavorful and juicy harvesting . It comes to adulthood in 70 days , however you may pick younger leave after 50 days .
‘ Bronze Guard ’
Light green with bronze edging , this heirloom variety is heat resistant and will provide a bountiful harvest to supply texture and color to your salads .
you could find ‘ Bronze Guard ’ in seed parcel of various sizesfrom True Leaf Market .
29. Oakleaf
introduce in 1771 by the Gallic seeded player company Vilmorin - Andrieux , ‘ Oakleaf ’ has green , lobed leaves with a delicate , tender grain and sweet , mild flavor .
‘ Oakleaf ’
Maturing in just 40 days , ‘ Oakleaf ’ is cold tolerant and heat resistant , offer a bountiful harvest throughout the grow season .
Find seed bundle of various sizesfrom True Leaf Market .
Greens to Envy
With so many textures , sapidity , and colors to choose from , lettuce makes a wonderful addition to your kitchen garden that will provide you with bountiful harvests of nutritive leafy vegetable .
To find out pelf in your garden , try these guide next :
pic by Fanny Slater , Shanna Mallon , and Raquel Smith © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally publish on February 25 , 2020 . Last update on March 13 , 2020 . Product photos via Burpee , David ’s Garden Seeds , Eden Brothers , and honest Leaf Market . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock . With additional written material and redaction by Clare Groom and Allison Sidhu .
About
Kristina Hicks - Hamblin
