Red Leaf Lettuce
Amaranthus tricolor
Round to heart-shaped leaves are medium-green overlaid with burgundy red. Striking color on the undersides of the leaves. Cutting the top of the plant yields beautiful, multicolored rosettes that can be added to mixes. Comparable to spinach in flavor. Often used in soups.
Harvest
50d
Days to harvest
Sun
am-a-RAN-thus TRY-col-or
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-5 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Red Leaf Lettuce in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 lettuce →Zone Map
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Red Leaf Lettuce · 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: am-a-RAN-thus TRY-col-or. Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: 'Carnival' Illumination Splendens, 'Carnival', Illumination, Splendens. Propagation: Seed.
Harvesting
Type: Achene.
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: Seeds, leaves
Storage & Preservation
Fresh red leaf lettuce stores best when washed, thoroughly dried, and wrapped in paper towels inside a perforated plastic bag in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. Maintain humidity around 95% and temperature between 32-35°F for optimal storage life of 7-10 days.
Unlike sturdy vegetables, lettuce doesn't preserve well through traditional methods. Your best option for preservation is freezing cleaned, chopped leaves in ice cube trays with water or broth—these cubes work perfectly in smoothies or soups, though the texture won't suit fresh applications. Another option is dehydrating young, tender leaves at 95°F until crispy, then grinding into a nutrient-rich powder for seasoning soups and sauces. For immediate use, lettuce keeps 2-3 days at room temperature in a glass of water like cut flowers, but refrigeration significantly extends shelf life.
History & Origin
Origin: Tropical Asia
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Drought, Heat, Poor Soil
- +Edible: Seeds, leaves
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Chives
Repels aphids and other pests while improving lettuce flavor
Carrots
Deep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots, helps break up soil
Radishes
Quick growth helps break up soil and repels flea beetles
Marigolds
Deters aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes that attack lettuce
Spinach
Similar growing requirements and provides mutual shade in hot weather
Garlic
Natural pest deterrent against aphids, slugs, and other lettuce pests
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and adds beneficial insects to garden
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs that control aphids on lettuce
Keep Apart
Broccoli
Large leaves create too much shade and compete for nutrients
Sunflowers
Allelopathic compounds inhibit lettuce growth and development
Fennel
Strong allelopathic effects inhibit growth of lettuce and most vegetables
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 bolting in cool weather. Moderate downy mildew tolerance.
Common Pests
Aphids, slugs, flea beetles, cutworms
Diseases
Downy mildew, bottom rot, tipburn, lettuce mosaic virus