Prizehead
Lactuca sativa 'Prizehead'
A stunning loose-leaf heirloom that's as beautiful as it is delicious, featuring large bronze-red tinged leaves that create a dramatic display in any garden. Dating back to the 1880s, this heat-tolerant variety produces abundantly in warm weather when other lettuces fail, making it indispensable for summer growing. The tender leaves have a mild flavor with just a hint of sweetness, perfect for adding color and nutrition to salads.
Harvest
50-60d
Days to harvest
Sun
'Allstar Mix'
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Prizehead in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 lettuce →Zone Map
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Prizehead · 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 Prizehead lettuce stores best when harvested dry and immediately placed 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. Avoid washing before storage—clean leaves just before use to prevent premature wilting.
For longer preservation, Prizehead's tender leaves aren't suitable for traditional preservation methods like canning or freezing for salads. However, you can successfully dehydrate young leaves at 95°F for 6-8 hours to create nutritious salad toppers or blend dried leaves into herb salts. The colorful leaves also work well in fermented preparations like kimchi or sauerkraut, where their mild flavor won't overpower other ingredients. For best results with fermentation, use leaves within 2-3 days of harvest and combine with stronger-flavored vegetables. Consider succession planting rather than preservation 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 soft-bodied insects that damage lettuce
Carrots
Loosens soil with deep taproot, doesn't compete for space or nutrients
Radishes
Breaks up soil, deters flea beetles, and grows quickly between lettuce rows
Marigolds
Repels nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial predatory insects
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, draws pests away from lettuce
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps that control aphids
Garlic
Natural fungicide properties help prevent damping-off and other soil-borne diseases
Spinach
Similar growing requirements and harvest times, efficient use of garden space
Keep Apart
Broccoli
Heavy feeder that competes for nitrogen and can shade out lettuce
Sunflowers
Allelopathic compounds inhibit germination and growth of nearby lettuce
Fennel
Produces allelopathic chemicals that stunt growth of most vegetables including lettuce
Nutrition Facts
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 resistance to bolting
Common Pests
Aphids, flea beetles, slugs, snails
Diseases
Downy mildew, lettuce drop, tipburn in extreme heat