Green Leaf
Lactuca sativa 'Green Leaf'
A reliable, fast-growing loose-leaf lettuce that's perfect for beginners and continuous harvesting. The tender, ruffled green leaves provide mild, sweet flavor and can be harvested leaf by leaf for weeks of fresh salads. This heat-tolerant variety is ideal for succession planting throughout the growing season.
Harvest
45-55d
Days to harvest
Sun
'Allstar Mix'
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Green Leaf in USDA Zone 7
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Green Leaf · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
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
Store freshly harvested Green Leaf lettuce immediately in the refrigerator for best quality. Rinse leaves gently in cold water, spin dry thoroughly, and wrap in paper towels before placing in a perforated plastic bag in your crisper drawer. Properly stored lettuce stays fresh for 7-10 days at 32-35°F. For short-term storage, you can keep unwashed lettuce in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Green Leaf lettuce doesn't freeze or can well due to its high water content, but you can preserve it by making lettuce soup and freezing that, or dehydrating outer leaves at 125°F for 6-8 hours to create lettuce powder for seasoning. The best preservation method is succession planting every 2-3 weeks to ensure continuous fresh harvests throughout the growing season.
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
Different root depths allow efficient space use without competition
Radishes
Break up soil for lettuce roots and deter flea beetles
Marigolds
Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes that damage lettuce
Garlic
Deters aphids, slugs, and rabbits that commonly eat lettuce
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Spinach
Similar growing conditions and can provide mutual shade
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects that control lettuce pests
Keep Apart
Sunflowers
Create too much shade and compete heavily for nutrients
Broccoli
Both are heavy nitrogen feeders causing nutrient competition
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit lettuce growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346388)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to tipburn and bolting in moderate heat
Common Pests
Aphids, flea beetles, slugs, cutworms
Diseases
Downy mildew, lettuce drop, bottom rot