HeirloomContainer OK

Deer Tongue

Lactuca sativa

An heirloom with unique, narrow, tongue-shaped leaves. Pointed, buttery leaves have a crunchy rib and excellent flavor. Slow to bolt. MT0-30. USDA Certified Organic.

Harvest

45-55d

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 Deer Tongue in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 lettuce →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Deer Tongue · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing10-12 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, tolerates poor conditions

pH6.0-7.5

Water1-1.5 inches per week, drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorSweet, mild, and crisp with thick, succulent texture

ColorMedium to dark green

Size4-6 inches long, 2-3 inches wide at base

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

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

Fresh deer tongue lettuce stores exceptionally well due to its thick, succulent leaves. After harvesting, rinse leaves in cool water and dry thoroughly in a salad spinner. Store in the refrigerator wrapped in slightly damp paper towels inside a perforated plastic bag for up to 10-14 days – significantly longer than most lettuce varieties.

For preservation, deer tongue's sturdy leaves make excellent fermented additions to sauerkraut or kimchi. You can also blanch mature leaves for 30 seconds and freeze them for later use in soups or braised dishes. While not ideal for traditional lettuce preservation methods like drying, the thick leaves work well when pickled as a crunchy garnish. Young tender leaves can be preserved in olive oil for short-term storage, lasting up to one week refrigerated.

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 soft-bodied insects that damage lettuce leaves

Carrots

Loosens soil with deep roots, doesn't compete for surface nutrients

Radishes

Quick-growing roots break up compacted soil and deter root maggots

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attracts beneficial insects

Marigolds

Repels nematodes and aphids while attracting predatory insects

Garlic

Natural fungicide properties help prevent downy mildew and other lettuce diseases

Spinach

Similar growing requirements, provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps that control pests

Keep Apart

Sunflowers

Allelopathic compounds inhibit lettuce germination and growth

Broccoli

Heavy nitrogen feeder that competes directly with lettuce for nutrients

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that stunt growth of most vegetables including lettuce

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 heat tolerance and bolt resistance, naturally pest resistant

Common Pests

Slugs, aphids (less susceptible than most lettuce)

Diseases

Downy mildew, bacterial leaf spot (rare)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does deer tongue lettuce take to grow?▼

Deer tongue lettuce typically takes 45-55 days from seed to harvest for full-sized leaves. However, you can begin harvesting baby greens as early as 25-30 days after planting. The variety's cut-and-come-again nature means you'll continue harvesting from the same plants for months with proper care.

Is deer tongue lettuce good for beginners?▼

Absolutely! Deer tongue lettuce is one of the easiest lettuces for beginners because it tolerates poor soil, inconsistent watering, and heat better than most varieties. Its natural pest resistance and ability to self-seed make it very forgiving for new gardeners still learning proper timing and care.

Can you grow deer tongue lettuce in containers?▼

Yes, deer tongue lettuce grows excellently in containers. Use pots at least 8-10 inches deep with good drainage. The variety's compact growth habit and tolerance for less-than-perfect conditions make it ideal for container gardening. Space plants 6 inches apart in larger containers.

What does deer tongue lettuce taste like?▼

Deer tongue lettuce has a uniquely sweet, mild flavor with a satisfying crunch from its thick, succulent leaves. Unlike regular lettuce, it maintains its sweetness even in hot weather and never develops the bitter taste common in other varieties when they begin to bolt.

When should I plant deer tongue lettuce seeds?▼

Plant deer tongue lettuce 2-3 weeks before your last frost date in spring, then succession plant every 3-4 weeks through late summer. In zones 7-9, you can plant in fall for winter harvests. Its excellent heat tolerance allows planting throughout summer in most climates.

Deer tongue vs regular lettuce - what's the difference?▼

Deer tongue lettuce has distinctive triangular leaves, exceptional heat tolerance, and a sweet flavor that persists in hot weather. It stores much longer than regular lettuce, self-seeds readily, and has thicker, more succulent leaves. However, it grows slower initially and yields less per square foot than modern dense-growing varieties.