Red Romaine
Lactuca sativa var. longifolia 'Red Romaine'
A stunning twist on classic romaine lettuce with deep burgundy-red leaves and contrasting green hearts. This beautiful variety offers the same crisp texture and sweet flavor as traditional romaine while adding dramatic color to salads and garden beds. Perfect for gardeners who want both visual appeal and exceptional taste.
Harvest
70-80d
Days to harvest
Sun
'Allstar Mix'
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Red Romaine in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 lettuce →Zone Map
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Red Romaine · 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 | July – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – May | June – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | April – 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 Red Romaine in the refrigerator immediately after harvest for best quality. Wrap whole heads loosely in damp paper towels, then place in perforated plastic bags in the crisper drawer at 32-35°F with high humidity. Properly stored heads maintain peak quality for 7-10 days.
For individual leaves, rinse gently in cold water, spin dry thoroughly, and store between paper towels in sealed containers. Use within 5-7 days for best texture and flavor.
While lettuce doesn't preserve well through traditional methods like canning or drying, you can extend its usefulness by making fermented lettuce wraps or adding leaves to fermented vegetable mixes. The sturdy leaves also freeze reasonably well for use in cooked dishes – blanch for 30 seconds, then freeze in portion-sized bags for up to 3 months. Frozen Red Romaine works well in soups, stir-fries, or braised dishes where texture is less critical than fresh applications.
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
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies while potentially improving lettuce flavor
Chives
Deters aphids and other soft-bodied insects that damage lettuce
Carrots
Deep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots, maximizes garden space
Radishes
Quick-growing companion that helps break up soil and deters flea beetles
Marigolds
Repels nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial predatory insects
Spinach
Similar growing requirements and can be succession planted together
Garlic
Natural pest deterrent against aphids, slugs, and other lettuce pests
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing them away from lettuce
Keep Apart
Broccoli
Large leaves create too much shade and compete for nutrients with lettuce
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of lettuce and most vegetables
Sunflowers
Tall growth creates excessive shade and roots release growth-inhibiting chemicals
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169247)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to tip burn and bolting
Common Pests
Aphids, cutworms, slugs, flea beetles
Diseases
Downy mildew, lettuce drop, tip burn