Little Gem
Lactuca sativa 'Little Gem'
A compact British heirloom that combines the best qualities of romaine and butterhead lettuce in perfectly sized mini heads ideal for individual servings. These adorable 4-6 inch heads feature crispy outer leaves with sweet, tender hearts that make them perfect for grilling, Caesar salads, or elegant presentation. The space-saving size and quick maturity make Little Gem ideal for small gardens, containers, and succession planting.
Harvest
55-65d
Days to harvest
Sun
'Allstar Mix'
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Little Gem in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 lettuce →Zone Map
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Little Gem · 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 unwashed Little Gem heads in the refrigerator wrapped in damp paper towels inside perforated plastic bags. Properly stored heads maintain quality for 7-10 days, significantly longer than loose-leaf varieties. Keep at 32-36°F with high humidity—your crisper drawer is ideal.
For immediate use, place cut stems in cold water like flowers to maintain crispness. Little Gem's compact heads make excellent individual serving portions, so consider harvesting just what you need rather than storing long-term.
While not typically preserved through traditional methods, Little Gem can be quickly blanched and frozen for cooked applications, though texture suffers for fresh use. The variety's quick-cooking nature makes it better suited for immediate consumption. For longer-term storage, focus on succession planting rather than preservation—plant new crops every 2-3 weeks for 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 improves lettuce flavor
Carrots
Deep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots, loosens soil
Radishes
Quick growth breaks up soil for lettuce, deters leaf miners
Marigolds
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes
Spinach
Similar growing requirements, efficient use of garden space
Garlic
Natural pest deterrent, repels aphids and slugs
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects that control lettuce pests
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Keep Apart
Sunflowers
Too tall, creates excessive shade that stunts lettuce growth
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and can attract shared pests like flea beetles
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 bolt resistance, moderate disease tolerance
Common Pests
Aphids, slugs, cutworms, flea beetles
Diseases
Downy mildew, lettuce drop, tip burn