Cimmaron Romaine
Lactuca sativa 'Cimmaron'
A striking red romaine lettuce that brings vibrant color and exceptional crunch to any garden or salad bowl. This heat-tolerant variety produces tall, upright heads with deep burgundy-red outer leaves and crisp, sweet hearts that maintain their color even in warm weather. Cimmaron offers both visual appeal and outstanding flavor, making it a favorite among gardeners who want something special.
Harvest
55-65d
Days to harvest
Sun
'Allstar Mix'
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Cimmaron Romaine in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 lettuce →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Cimmaron Romaine · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – June | June – 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 Cimmaron romaine in the refrigerator at 32-36°F with high humidity. Wrap heads loosely in damp paper towels, then place in perforated plastic bags in the crisper drawer. Properly stored heads maintain quality for 7-10 days, though color intensity may fade slightly.
Avoid washing before storage—excess moisture promotes decay. Instead, rinse just before use and dry thoroughly in a salad spinner. For longer preservation, the outer leaves can be dehydrated at 135°F for crispy garnishes, though this destroys the fresh texture that makes romaine valuable.
While freezing isn't recommended for fresh eating, you can blanch and freeze Cimmaron for cooked applications like lettuce soup or stir-fries. The variety's sturdy leaves also work well for fermented applications like lettuce kimchi, where the red coloration creates an attractive finished product.
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
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve lettuce flavor
Chives
Deters aphids and other soft-bodied insects that damage lettuce
Carrots
Deep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots, provides ground cover
Radishes
Quick-growing, helps break up soil and can be harvested before lettuce needs space
Marigolds
Repels nematodes and aphids, attracts beneficial insects
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attracts beneficial predators
Spinach
Similar growing requirements, can be interplanted for succession harvests
Garlic
Repels aphids, slugs, and other pests that commonly attack lettuce
Keep Apart
Broccoli
Competes for nutrients and space, can shade lettuce and stunt growth
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants including lettuce through allelopathy
Sunflowers
Tall growth creates excessive shade and competes heavily for water and nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169247)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good heat tolerance, resistant to bolting, moderate disease resistance
Common Pests
Aphids, thrips, leafminers, slugs and snails
Diseases
Downy mildew, lettuce mosaic virus, bacterial leaf spot