Best Lettuce & Salad Greens for Heirloom
67 lettuce varieties well-suited for heirloom varieties. Open-pollinated heritage cultivars with unique flavor.
Amara
The attractive dark green leaves are gently savoyed with a scalloped margin; tender and succulent; and have a rich, savory flavor. Good in salads or as a cooked green. While technically a mustard, Amara is known as Ethiopian kale, Highland kale, Abyssinian mustard, and Texsel greens. Plant Variety Protected.
Arugula
Arugula is a fast-growing leafy green with slender, deeply lobed leaves that mature in just 10-15 days. This heirloom variety thrives in cool seasons and prefers full sun to partial shade. The distinctive peppery, nutty flavor with a slight bitterness and pungent kick makes it ideal for fresh salads, garnishes, and cooked dishes. Arugula's rapid maturity and ease of cultivation—combined with its bold, complex taste—distinguish it from milder lettuce varieties. It tolerates cool weather well and can be succession-planted for continuous harvests throughout the growing season.
Australian Yellow Leaf
A rare and striking heirloom from Australia featuring unique golden-yellow leaves that create a stunning contrast in the garden and on the plate. This heat-tolerant loose-leaf variety produces tender, mild-flavored leaves that maintain their distinctive color throughout the growing season. The unusual coloration comes from natural breeding, not genetic modification, making this a conversation-starting addition to any heirloom garden.
Batavia
Batavia is a crinkled-leaf heirloom lettuce with a distinctive ruffled appearance and tender, frilly foliage that ranges from light to medium green. Maturing in approximately 47 days, this variety bridges butterhead and leaf lettuce characteristics, forming a loose head while maintaining the delicate texture of loose-leaf types. Its crisp, sweet flavor with nutty undertones and subtle mineral complexity makes it ideal for fresh salads and gourmet presentations. The crinkled leaves add visual appeal and pleasant texture contrast. Batavia thrives in cool-season gardens with full sun to partial shade and prefers rich, well-drained loam, making it accessible for both novice and experienced growers.
Bel Fiore
This Variegato di Lusia strain shows improved heading and consistent external and internal speckling in our trials. Although some heads will form very early, others will continue maturing over a long, 2-3 week period. Harvest when full but loose, like butterhead lettuce. Bel fiore, or "beautiful flower" in Italian, refers to how the heads can be displayed with centers opened to resemble a flower. Mild radicchio flavor in all seasons.
Bellezia
Leaves of Bellezia are darker green and more deeply lobed than Sylvetta, with a similar pungent flavor. In addition, the plant is more upright allowing for easier harvest. Organic seed is also available. Utility Patent granted.Edible Flowers: Harvest the yellow flowers as they appear. Sprinkle them over salads or add to vegetable stir-fries. Flavor is spicy and nutty. Popular choice for brightening up salad mixes.
Bibb
A classic American butterhead lettuce developed in Kentucky, prized for its exceptionally tender leaves and sweet, delicate flavor. The small, compact heads form perfect individual serving sizes with butter-soft texture that melts in your mouth. This gourmet variety is favored by chefs and home gardeners who appreciate premium salad quality.
Bingo
Belgian endive, or witloof, has a 2-stage production system to achieve the blanched heads (or "chicon") which are a venerated European delicacy and welcome off-season leafy vegetable. Bingo is a vast improvement over Totem, which it replaced, for its superior performance; more uniform root size across a wider range of soil types; improved strength against internal browning of the root core; and improved foliage health against powdery mildew. Early to intermediate forcing period. Bingo is ready shortly after a fall harvest in October/November and continues to store and force well into March.
Black Seeded Simpson
An early producer of light green, curled, tender leaves. MT0-30.
Buttercrunch
Johnny's produces Buttercrunch lettuce using the original stock seed from Cornell University. Forms a small, open but tightly bunched, 6" rosette that is fan-shaped rather than round. Dark green leaves and small compact hearts that blanch to an appetizing yellow color. Crisp and sweet. MT0-30.
Buttercrunch Bibb
A premium butterhead lettuce that's been delighting gardeners for decades with its exceptional tenderness and sweet, buttery flavor. This variety forms perfect, compact heads with thick, succulent leaves that practically melt in your mouth. Heat-tolerant and bolt-resistant, Buttercrunch is ideal for gardeners who want restaurant-quality lettuce from their own backyard.
Butterhead Boston
A classic butterhead lettuce prized for its tender, buttery leaves and compact rosette formation. This reliable variety produces beautiful heads with soft, pale green outer leaves and a creamy yellow heart that's perfect for elegant salads. Boston lettuce is incredibly versatile and forgiving, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
Catalogna Special
Uniform strain. At baby-leaf stage, leaves are narrow with subtle spikes along the margins and a thin petiole. At full size, leaves are long, deep green, slender, and deeply cut with white midribs.
Claytonia
Quantities of heart-shaped leaf pairs, each "wrapped" around a white-flowered stem. Can tolerate moderate frost and can be grown all winter in mild regions or in cold greenhouses. The taste of the young leaves is wild and fresh. Suitable for multiple cuttings. Also known as miner's lettuce.
Coastal Star
The large, heavy heads are dark green. Heat tolerant. Suitable for marketing as full heads or romaine hearts. Good, sweet flavor. MT0-30. Also available with NOP-compliant pelleting.
Curlesi
Strong tipburn and bolt tolerance with a self-blanching, upright growth habit. Most adaptable to spring/summer planting but suitable year-round. High-yielding and easy to harvest. Also available in organic seed or with NOP-compliant pelleting.
Deer Tongue
An heirloom with unique, narrow, tongue-shaped leaves. Pointed, buttery leaves have a crunchy rib and excellent flavor. Slow to bolt. MT0-30.
Elegance Greens Mix
Colors range from dark- and bronze-red to shades of green. The combination of flavors and textures makes this a beautiful salad. This mix includes pac choi, red mustard, and mizuna. Varieties are subject to change depending upon availability.
Freckles
An eye-catching Austrian heirloom romaine lettuce adorned with distinctive red speckles scattered across bright green leaves like freckles on skin. This unique variety combines stunning visual appeal with excellent bolt resistance and sweet, tender flavor. A conversation starter that performs beautifully in both spring and fall gardens.
Garnet Giant
Broad purple leaves with gently scalloped margins. Color appears early on young leaves, especially in spring and fall. Mild flavor. Somewhat quick to bolt. Plant densely so leaves remain a proper size for baby leaf and petioles elongate for easy harvest. Also available in organic seed.
Giorgione
Dense, compact Castelfranco type. Attractive internal speckling intensifies in fall and is sometimes visible on wrapper leaves. Speckling and leaf shape can be variable, but Giorgione is reliably early and holds well in the field. Unlike the milder Bel Fiore, Giorgione balances classic chicory bitterness with pleasant sweetness, especially in fall.
Golden Frills
The finely lobed, ruffled leaves offer a unique look for adding loft and flavor to salads. Delicious, pungently sweet and spicy flavor. Also available in organic seed.
Grand Rapids
A time-tested heirloom loose-leaf lettuce that has been feeding families since 1888 and remains one of the most reliable varieties for beginning gardeners. Its deeply curled, bright green leaves are incredibly easy to grow and harvest, producing continuously when cut properly. This variety thrives in almost any condition and rarely bolts, making it perfect for hot climates and extended harvests.
Great Lakes
A classic crisphead lettuce that delivers the satisfying crunch of iceberg but with better heat tolerance and garden performance. This reliable variety forms dense, well-blanched heads with crisp, sweet leaves that stay fresh longer than most lettuce types. Perfect for gardeners who want that classic lettuce experience without the challenges of growing true iceberg varieties.
Green 70 D Improved
Very similar to Gunsho, just a few days later to mature. Choi sums are among the most popular vegetables in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China. The stems are a vibrant bright green, very sweet and tender, and are usually harvested just before, or as the first few buds are opening. The stems regrow for cut-and-come-again harvest. Excellent in stir-fries, steamed, or in soups.
Hon Tsai Tai
Hon Tsai Tai is an heirloom Asian mustard green with tender, dark green leaves and delicate stems that form loose bunches. Ready to harvest in approximately 37 days, this versatile variety thrives in full sun to part shade conditions. Hon Tsai Tai stands out for its mild, pleasant mustard flavor balanced with a surprisingly tender texture, making it equally suitable for raw salads or cooked applications like stir-fries and braising. The thin stems and leaves remain tender even at maturity, distinguishing it from tougher mustard varieties and appealing to growers seeking a more approachable Asian green.
Italiko Red
This Italian dandelion has bold red stems and midribs for vibrant contrast. Deeply lobed leaves with classic bitter flavor. Good cold tolerance. Shows some variation in plant habit, leaf shape, and color.
Jericho
Attractive, fast-growing, bright green lettuce for baby leaf. Seed densely for narrower petioles and leaves. Sometimes grown as a full-size head. Tolerant to both heat and tipburn. MT0-30.
Little Gem
A uniform strain of an old French variety renowned for its buttery texture and sweet flavor. Exceptionally quick to close and blanch internal leaves. Heavily savoyed leaf. Pairs well with Rosaine and Cegolaine. Does not hold in the field as long as Newham. MT0-30. Also available with NOP-compliant pelleting.
Lolla Rossa
A stunning Italian heirloom loose-leaf lettuce that transforms any garden into a work of art with its deeply frilled, burgundy-red edges fading to bright green centers. This heat-tolerant beauty maintains excellent flavor even in warm weather, making it perfect for extended harvests. The dramatic color and texture make it as valuable for ornamental plantings as it is for the salad bowl.
Lollo Rosso
An Italian heirloom that brings European flair to the home garden with its spectacular burgundy-red frilly leaves and compact growth habit. This loose-leaf variety is prized by chefs worldwide for its beautiful appearance and slightly bitter, sophisticated flavor that adds complexity to salad mixes. The deeply curled leaves create an almost flower-like appearance, making it as ornamental as it is edible.
Loose Leaf Green Grand Rapids
A classic loose-leaf variety that's been a garden favorite since the 1800s, prized for its reliability and heat tolerance. This fast-growing lettuce produces abundant, frilly green leaves with excellent flavor and crisp texture. Perfect for continuous harvest and ideal for beginners who want guaranteed success.
Luna Rossa
Improved Costarossa type with better color expression, more uniform plants, and less susceptibility to tipburn. Unique rib color ranges from pink to dark red. In the North, slot for late fall harvest. In the South, grow during winter or overwinter. Not suitable for spring planting.
Mâche (Corn Salad)
This versatile, vigorous, mildew-resistant variety is excellent at a time of year when greens become scarce. Long, oval, glossy green leaves form tight rosettes. Mild, slightly nutty flavor also reminiscent of roses. Also known as mâche, lamb's lettuce, and corn salad. Unsized seed.
Mizuna
Mizuna is a delicate Japanese mustard green with feathery, finely dissected fronds that create an elegant, frilly appearance. It matures quickly in just 18 days, making it ideal for fast-growing spring and fall crops. Unlike heavier lettuce varieties, mizuna's defining characteristic is its mild, slightly peppery bite paired with a tender, refined texture. The wispy leaves add visual interest and sophisticated flavor complexity to salads, stir-fries, and Asian dishes. Its heirloom status reflects generations of cultivation for its unique aesthetic and palate appeal.
Muir
The slowest to bolt in our summer trials. Technically a Batavian type, the light green extra-wavy leaves form dense heads at a small size and can be harvested as a mini or left to bulk up into large, heavy, full-size heads. The leaves are crisp and have excellent flavor. Suitable for hydroponic systems. Utility Patent granted. MT0-30. Also available with NOP-compliant pelleting.
New Red Fire
New Red Fire is relatively slow, but produces uniform, heavy heads of brightly colored, frilly leaves. MT0-30. Also available with NOP-compliant pelleting.
Oak Leaf
An elegant loose-leaf lettuce with distinctive deeply-lobed leaves that resemble oak tree foliage, adding visual interest to both garden and salad bowl. This heat-tolerant variety offers exceptional flavor with tender, buttery leaves that never become bitter, making it perfect for continuous harvest throughout the growing season. The unique leaf shape and reliable performance make it a favorite among both novice and experienced gardeners.
Paris Island Cos
The gold standard for romaine lettuce, this heat-tolerant variety produces tall, upright heads with crisp, dark green outer leaves and sweet, crunchy hearts. Developed for reliability in challenging conditions, Paris Island Cos consistently delivers the classic romaine experience that Caesar salad lovers crave. Its exceptional bolt resistance makes it perfect for extending the growing season into warmer months.
Parris Island Cos
The gold standard romaine lettuce that has been the backbone of American Caesar salads since 1952, developed specifically for hot, humid Southern growing conditions. This heat-tolerant variety produces tall, upright heads with thick, crunchy ribs and dark green outer leaves that blanch to creamy yellow hearts. Known for exceptional bolt resistance and reliable performance, it's the romaine that succeeds where others fail in challenging climates.
Perseo
Smaller heads, 3-4", allow for planting at higher densities. Uniform size and maturity.
Premium Greens Mix
An amazing palette of greens and reds in an array of leaf shapes and textures. The flavors are equally diverse - spicy to mild to slightly sweet. Includes red mustard, red mizuna, green mustard, Chinese cabbage, and tatsoi. Varieties are subject to change depending upon availability.
Prizehead
A stunning loose-leaf heirloom that's as beautiful as it is delicious, featuring large bronze-red tinged leaves that create a dramatic display in any garden. Dating back to the 1880s, this heat-tolerant variety produces abundantly in warm weather when other lettuces fail, making it indispensable for summer growing. The tender leaves have a mild flavor with just a hint of sweetness, perfect for adding color and nutrition to salads.
Red Giant
Red Giant is a striking heirloom lettuce variety prized for its deep burgundy leaves with tender texture. Reaching maturity in just 21 days, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to various growing conditions. This variety's defining characteristic is its distinctive peppery, mustard-like flavor that sets it apart from conventional lettuces. The tender leaves make it excellent for fresh salads, where the bold color and spicy notes create both visual appeal and complex taste. Red Giant is exceptionally easy to grow, making it ideal for gardeners of all skill levels.
Red Leaf Lettuce
Red Leaf Lettuce is a visually striking heirloom variety with deeply ruffled, burgundy-tinged leaves that add color and texture to salads and plates. Reaching maturity in approximately 50 days, this loose-leaf variety forms open rosettes rather than tight heads, allowing for cut-and-come-again harvesting. Its tender leaves deliver a mild, sweet flavor with no bitterness, making it ideal for fresh eating and culinary applications where delicate texture matters. The distinctive red coloring intensifies in cool weather, and the frilly leaf margins provide appealing visual contrast in mixed greens preparations.
Red Malabar Spinach
Vigorous climbing vines grow through summer into fall. Glossy, thick, savoyed leaves resemble spinach. Dark green leaves and deep red/purple stems. Mild Swiss chard taste. Use leaves and young stems sparingly in salads or stir-fries.
Red Sails
Attractive, ruffled, fringed leaves of deep burgundy red over green. AAS Winner. MT0-30.
Red Splendor
Very slow-bolting plants hold their color in hot weather, making this variety a good choice for summer production. Hot, mustardy flavor. Plant at high density to keep from becoming oversized.
Red Veined Sorrel
Bright green leaves with contrasting, dark maroon stems and veins. Same sharp, tangy flavor as regular sorrel. Best variety for indoor production. Best when harvested young for salad mix as large leaves are tough. Also available in organic seed.
Romaine Cos
The classic upright lettuce that forms tall, sturdy heads of dark green leaves with prominent white ribs and exceptional crunch. This traditional variety has been cultivated for over 2,000 years and remains the gold standard for Caesar salads and Mediterranean cuisine. Its robust structure and intense flavor make it indispensable for gardeners who want restaurant-quality lettuce at home.
Rouge d'Hiver
An old French romaine variety with medium-red tinted leaves and excellent flavor. Good regrowth. Tolerant to cold, but avoid hot weather. MT0-30.
Ruby Red Orach
Leaves are deep purple and have a spinach-like flavor. NOTE: Expect a small percentage of all-green plants.
Ruby Streaks
Fine, deeply incised leaves. The color ranges from dark green with red veins to dark maroon, with the maroon color darker when grown without row cover and in cooler weather. The flavor is mild and slightly pungent.
Scarlet Frills
Spicy green and red, intricately lobed and ruffled leaves add flavor and loft to your salad mix. Slow bolting. Darker red in cooler weather.
Sempre Bianca
Soft, mildly flavored leaves provide excellent loft and color contrast to mixes. Narrow petioles for a long harvest window. Fast growing and upright.
Shungiku
Shungiku, also known as Japanese chrysanthemum greens, is a tender leafy green with delicate, feathery foliage and slender stems. This heirloom variety reaches harvest maturity in approximately 30 days. The leaves are bright green and aromatic, with a distinctive peppery flavor complemented by subtle anise and chrysanthemum floral notes. Shungiku is prized in Japanese and East Asian cuisines for both its unique taste and nutritional value, commonly used in soups, stir-fries, and salads. The tender texture and herb-like character make it a standout addition to fresh dishes.
Skyphos
Skyphos is a heirloom romaine lettuce variety prized for its exceptionally sweet, crisp, and tender leaves with the classic satisfying crunch of traditional romaines. This Greek variety matures in approximately 47 days, producing upright heads with a distinctive appearance. The name references the ancient Greek drinking cup, reflecting its heritage. Skyphos thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, fertile soil with consistent moisture. Its superior flavor profile and reliability make it an excellent choice for fresh salads where quality and taste are paramount. Relatively easy to grow despite susceptibility to common lettuce pests.
Sorrel
Sorrel is a leafy heirloom green with slender, arrow-shaped leaves that mature in about 40 days. This cool-season crop develops an intensely tangy, lemony flavor that becomes more pronounced as leaves mature. The bright, citrusy taste makes it ideal for finishing delicate fish dishes, enriching soups, or adding complexity to fresh salads. Sorrel thrives in well-drained, fertile soil under full sun and is remarkably easy to grow, though it requires vigilance against slugs, snails, and aphids. Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continuous production.
Stella Rosa
Gorgeous range of pink shades with distinct white ribs. An improved pink variety: more marketable heads; thicker leaves with heavier savoy; brighter pink colors; enhanced tipburn and bolting tolerance. Great paired with Luna Rossa. Notes: Expose plants to short days/cold weather to achieve pink color expression. Planting too early risks loose, non-pink heads. Transplant in early/mid August in Maine, later in mild eastern regions.
Sylvetta
More compact than Bellezia, with deeply lobed leaves and a pungent flavor. Popular with chefs. Edible Flowers: Harvest the yellow flowers as they appear. Sprinkle them over salads or add to vegetable stir-fries. Flavor is spicy and nutty. Popular choice for brightening up salad mix.
Tatsoi
Tatsoi is a compact, dark green Asian leafy green with distinctive spoon-shaped leaves that form a rosette cluster. This heirloom variety reaches full maturity in just 25 days, making it ideal for quick succession plantings. Its defining characteristic is the tender, crunchy stems with a mild, slightly sweet flavor and juicy texture that adds dimension to salads and stir-fries. The whole plant—leaves and stems—is edible and versatile, offering both nutritional value and culinary appeal for gardeners seeking fast-growing greens.
Tom Thumb
This adorable miniature butterhead forms perfect tennis ball-sized heads that are ideal for small spaces and single servings. Despite its tiny stature, Tom Thumb delivers full-sized flavor with tender, sweet leaves and excellent heat tolerance. A charming heirloom that's perfect for container gardens, kids' gardens, and anyone who loves perfectly portioned individual salads.
Tropicana
Plants produce full heads with heavy leaves. Tolerant to tipburn. MT0-30. Also available in organic seed or seed with NOP-compliant pelleting.
Upland Cress
Slow to start but, once established, easy to grow. Long standing and slow bolting. 6-8" rosettes of dark green, glossy, rounded leaves. Similar to watercress but much easier to grow. Sometimes called "creasy greens" in the South.
Waldmann's Green
A legendary loose-leaf lettuce variety developed specifically for winter greenhouse growing but equally excellent in outdoor gardens. Known for its exceptional cold tolerance and ability to produce tender, dark green leaves even in challenging conditions. This reliable variety has been a favorite among both commercial and home growers for decades.
Wasabina
Broad bright green leaves with deeply scalloped margins are soft and tender with great loft. Slow bolting. Sweet and mildly spicy flavor. Plant densely so leaves remain a proper size for baby leaf and petioles elongate for easy harvest.
Watercress
Watercress is a leafy green vegetable with small, rounded, delicate leaves that grow in dense clusters. This fast-growing heirloom variety matures in 60 days and thrives in cool, moist conditions with partial sun exposure. Its most distinctive feature is its peppery, spicy flavor with a subtle mustard-like bite, delivering a crisp texture that sets it apart from milder lettuce varieties. Watercress is highly nutritious and commonly used fresh in salads, soups, and sandwiches. Its vibrant taste makes it an excellent choice for culinary applications where bold, peppery greens are desired.
Why These Lettuce & Salad Greens Work for Heirloom
Heirloom varieties are open-pollinated cultivars passed down for generations — prized for complex flavor, storied history, and seed-saving potential. These varieties let you save seeds and grow the same crop next year.