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Canasta

Lactuca sativa 'Canasta'

A premium romaine lettuce bred for exceptional sweetness and crisp texture, with thick, sturdy leaves perfect for Caesar salads. This variety forms tall, upright heads with excellent heart formation and superior bolt resistance. Professional chefs and home gardeners alike prize Canasta for its consistent quality and outstanding flavor that rivals the best restaurant lettuce.

Harvest

65-75d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

'Allstar Mix'

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-12 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Canasta in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 lettuce →

Zone Map

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Canasta · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to moderate

Spacing8-10 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good organic content

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonCool season

FlavorSweet, crisp, and crunchy with no bitterness and excellent texture

ColorMedium to dark green with pale green to white ribs and heart

Size10-12 inches tall, 6-8 inches wide at base

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	May – June	July – October
Zone 4	—	—	April – June	July – October
Zone 5	—	—	April – May	June – November
Zone 6	—	—	April – May	June – November
Zone 7	—	—	March – May	May – November
Zone 8	—	—	March – April	May – December
Zone 9	—	—	February – March	April – December
Zone 10	—	—	January – March	March – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: 'Allstar Mix', 'Bibb', 'Black-seeded Simpson', 'Buttercrunch', 'Green Oakleaf', 'Ithaca', 'Jericho', Lactuca sativa var. augustana ('Celtuce'), 'New Red Fire', 'Pennlake', 'Red Sails', 'Salinas'. Soil: High Organic Matter. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Tiny seeds with a dandelion-like tuft (pappus) to aid in wind dispersal.

Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Summer

Edibility: Leaves can be used raw or cooked in salads, sandwiches, and other dishes. Head lettuce can be stored for 2-3 weeks while leaf and butterhead store for 1-2 weeks.

Storage & Preservation

Store freshly harvested Canasta in the refrigerator immediately after cutting. Wrap heads in damp paper towels, then place in perforated plastic bags to maintain humidity while allowing air circulation. Properly stored heads remain crisp and sweet for 10-14 days at 32-35°F.

For maximum freshness, don't wash heads until ready to use. If leaves begin wilting, revive them with a 10-minute ice water bath before serving.

Canasta's sturdy leaves freeze well for cooked applications. Blanch whole leaves for 2 minutes, shock in ice water, then freeze in portions for adding to soups and stir-fries. The thick ribs also work excellently for fermenting – chop and add to kimchi or sauerkraut for extra crunch and mild flavor.

History & Origin

Origin: Mediterranean to Siberia

Advantages

+Edible: Leaves can be used raw or cooked in salads, sandwiches, and other dishes. Head lettuce can be stored for 2-3 weeks while leaf and butterhead store for 1-2 weeks.
+Fast-growing

Considerations

-Toxic (Sap/Juice): Low severity
-Causes contact dermatitis

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Chives

Repels aphids and other pests while improving lettuce flavor

Carrots

Loose deep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots, maximizes space usage

Radishes

Quick-growing companion that breaks up soil and deters flea beetles

Marigolds

Repels nematodes, aphids, and other harmful insects naturally

Garlic

Strong scent deters slugs, snails, and aphids that commonly attack lettuce

Spinach

Similar growing requirements and helps shade soil to retain moisture

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs that control aphids

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away

Keep Apart

Broccoli

Large leaves create excessive shade and compete heavily for nutrients

Parsley

Can attract carrot flies and competes for similar soil nutrients

Sunflowers

Allelopathic effects inhibit lettuce germination and growth

Nutrition Facts

Protein

0.742g(1%)

Carbs

3.37g(1%)

Fat

0.0738g(0%)

Vitamin K

20.5mcg(17%)

Iron

0.0332mg(0%)

Calcium

14.2mg(1%)

Potassium

139mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346388)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Excellent bolt resistance and tip burn tolerance. Good downy mildew resistance.

Common Pests

Aphids, slugs, snails, cabbage loopers

Diseases

Downy mildew, bottom rot, tip burn, lettuce drop

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Canasta lettuce take to grow?▼

Canasta takes 65-75 days from seed to harvest, making it a mid-season romaine variety. Fall plantings often mature closer to 65 days due to cooler temperatures, while spring crops may need the full 75 days. Start counting from direct sowing date, or add 3-4 weeks if starting from transplants.

Can you grow Canasta lettuce in containers?▼

Yes, Canasta grows well in containers at least 8 inches deep and 10 inches wide per plant. Use a high-quality potting mix with good drainage and place containers where they receive 6+ hours of direct sunlight. Container-grown plants may need more frequent watering and feeding than garden-grown lettuce.

Is Canasta lettuce good for beginners?▼

Canasta is excellent for beginners due to its bolt resistance and tip burn tolerance, which forgive common watering and timing mistakes. The variety's disease resistance and sturdy growth habit make it more forgiving than delicate lettuce types. However, the longer growing season requires patience compared to faster leaf lettuces.

What does Canasta lettuce taste like?▼

Canasta offers exceptional sweetness with a crisp, crunchy texture and no bitterness. The thick ribs provide satisfying crunch while the inner leaves are tender and mild. Many gardeners describe the flavor as 'restaurant-quality' – clean, fresh, and sweet enough that children often prefer it over other lettuce varieties.

When should I plant Canasta lettuce?▼

Plant Canasta 2-4 weeks before your last spring frost, or 10-12 weeks before first fall frost. Fall plantings often produce superior flavor and texture. In hot climates (zones 9-10), grow as a winter crop from October-March. Avoid summer planting in areas with temperatures consistently above 80°F.

Canasta vs regular romaine lettuce - what's the difference?▼

Canasta offers superior sweetness, better bolt resistance, and thicker, sturdier leaves compared to standard romaine varieties. While regular romaine may turn bitter in heat, Canasta maintains its sweet flavor longer. The trade-off is a longer growing period and higher seed cost, but many gardeners find the improved flavor and reliability worth the investment.