Oak Leaf
Lactuca sativa 'Oak Leaf'
An elegant loose-leaf lettuce with distinctive deeply-lobed leaves that resemble oak tree foliage, adding visual interest to both garden and salad bowl. This heat-tolerant variety offers exceptional flavor with tender, buttery leaves that never become bitter, making it perfect for continuous harvest throughout the growing season. The unique leaf shape and reliable performance make it a favorite among both novice and experienced gardeners.
Harvest
45-50d
Days to harvest
Sun
'Allstar Mix'
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Oak Leaf in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 lettuce →Zone Map
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Oak 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
Fresh Oak Leaf lettuce keeps best when harvested in the morning and immediately placed in cold water to crisp up. After washing and thoroughly drying with a salad spinner, store leaves wrapped in slightly damp paper towels inside a perforated plastic bag in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. Properly stored, the leaves maintain quality for 7-10 days.
Unlike heartier greens, Oak Leaf lettuce doesn't freeze or dry well due to its tender texture and high water content. Your best preservation option is to extend the growing season through succession planting and cold frames. For immediate use, you can keep harvested leaves fresh in a glass of water on your counter for 2-3 days, changing the water daily.
Consider fermenting Oak Leaf lettuce into a mild kimchi-style ferment, though its delicate nature requires a shorter fermentation period of just 3-5 days at room temperature before refrigerating.
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 commonly attack lettuce
Marigolds
Deters nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial predatory insects
Carrots
Deep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots and help break up soil
Radishes
Quick-growing companion that helps break up soil and deters flea beetles
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from lettuce
Garlic
Natural fungicide properties help prevent lettuce diseases like downy mildew
Spinach
Similar growing requirements and can be succession planted together
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps that control aphids
Keep Apart
Broccoli
Heavy feeder that competes for nutrients and can shade out lettuce
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit lettuce germination and growth
Sunflowers
Allelopathic effects and excessive shading can stunt 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 heat tolerance, resistant to bolting, moderate disease resistance
Common Pests
Aphids, slugs, snails, leaf miners
Diseases
Downy mildew, lettuce drop, white rust