New Red Fire
Lactuca sativa
New Red Fire is relatively slow, but produces uniform, heavy heads of brightly colored, frilly leaves. MT0-30. Also available with NOP-compliant pelleting. USDA Certified Organic.
Harvest
55d
Days to harvest
Sun
'Allstar Mix'
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for New Red Fire in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 lettuce →Zone Map
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New Red Fire · 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 New Red Fire lettuce in the refrigerator immediately after harvest to maintain its vibrant color and crisp texture. Wrap unwashed leaves loosely in damp paper towels, then place in perforated plastic bags in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. Properly stored leaves maintain quality for 7-10 days at 32-35°F with high humidity.
Wash leaves just before use in cold water, then dry thoroughly using a salad spinner. New Red Fire's tender nature makes it unsuitable for traditional preservation methods like canning or freezing, as the leaves become mushy. However, you can successfully dehydrate young leaves at 95°F for 6-8 hours to create colorful lettuce chips or dried seasoning blends.
For extending your harvest season, consider succession planting every 2 weeks rather than trying to preserve large quantities. The variety's heat tolerance allows for longer fresh harvesting periods compared to other red lettuces.
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 while providing natural pest deterrent
Carrots
Deep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots, helps break up soil
Radishes
Quick growth breaks up soil, repels flea beetles, harvested before lettuce needs space
Marigolds
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, edible flowers add garden interest
Spinach
Similar growing requirements, can be interplanted for succession harvests
Garlic
Natural pest deterrent against aphids and slugs, doesn't compete for space
Cilantro
Attracts beneficial insects, provides shade during hot weather, similar water needs
Keep Apart
Broccoli
Heavy feeder that competes for nutrients and creates too much shade for lettuce
Fennel
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of lettuce and most other vegetables
Sunflowers
Allelopathic compounds suppress lettuce growth, creates excessive shade and root competition
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346388)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good heat tolerance and bolt resistance. Resistant to tipburn.
Common Pests
Aphids, flea beetles, leafminers, slugs
Diseases
Downy mildew, lettuce drop, bacterial soft rot