HeirloomContainer OK

Red Sails

Lactuca sativa

Attractive, ruffled, fringed leaves of deep burgundy red over green. AAS Winner. MT0-30. USDA Certified Organic.

Harvest

45-55d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

'Allstar Mix'

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-12 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Red Sails in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 lettuce →

Zone Map

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Red Sails · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing6-8 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with organic amendments

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorMild, sweet flavor with tender texture and no bitterness

ColorGreen centers with deep red-burgundy leaf edges

Size8-10 inch spread

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 Red Sails lettuce stores best when harvested dry and immediately refrigerated. Gently wash leaves in cold water, spin dry thoroughly, and store in perforated plastic bags or containers lined with paper towels. Properly stored, it maintains quality for 7-10 days in the refrigerator at 32-36°F.

For longer preservation, Red Sails works excellently in mesclun freeze-drying blends or can be dehydrated for winter salad seasonings. The colorful leaves retain much of their burgundy hue when properly dried at 95°F until crisp. While freezing destroys the crisp texture, frozen Red Sails can be used in smoothies or cooked dishes. Consider lacto-fermenting whole small heads as you would cabbage for a unique, tangy addition to winter meals. The variety's mild flavor profile makes it particularly suitable for quick pickling in rice vinegar for Asian-inspired dishes.

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 growth and flavor

Carrots

Loose soil from carrot roots helps lettuce root development

Radishes

Fast-growing radishes break up soil and don't compete for space

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Spinach

Similar growing requirements and can be succession planted together

Garlic

Deters aphids, slugs, and other pests that damage lettuce

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects and doesn't compete for nutrients

Keep Apart

Broccoli

Competes for similar nutrients and can shade out lettuce

Sunflowers

Allelopathic effects inhibit lettuce germination and growth

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy

Nutrition Facts

Protein

0.742g(1%)

Carbs

3.37g(1%)

Fat

0.0738g(0%)

Vitamin K

20.5mcg(17%)

Iron

0.0332mg(0%)

Calcium

14.2mg(1%)

Potassium

139mg(3%)

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 bolt resistance, moderate disease resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, flea beetles, slugs, leafminers

Diseases

Downy mildew, tipburn, lettuce drop in wet conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Red Sails lettuce take to grow?▼

Red Sails lettuce takes 45-55 days from seed to harvest, which is typical for loose-leaf varieties. You can begin harvesting baby leaves as early as 30 days for tender salad greens, or wait for full-sized leaves with maximum burgundy coloration. The variety's slow-bolting nature means you can harvest for several weeks once plants reach maturity.

Can you grow Red Sails lettuce in containers?▼

Yes, Red Sails lettuce grows excellently in containers and makes a beautiful ornamental edible. Use containers at least 6-8 inches deep with good drainage holes. The variety's compact growth habit and stunning color make it perfect for patio gardens, window boxes, or mixed container plantings with herbs and flowers.

What does Red Sails lettuce taste like?▼

Red Sails lettuce has a mild, sweet flavor with no bitterness, even when grown in warm conditions. The tender, crisp texture is similar to other oak-leaf varieties but maintains better quality in heat. Unlike some red lettuces that can taste slightly metallic, Red Sails remains pleasantly neutral, making it perfect for mixed salads.

When should I plant Red Sails lettuce?▼

Plant Red Sails lettuce 2 weeks before your last frost date and continue succession planting every 2-3 weeks through summer. Unlike other lettuces, its heat tolerance allows summer growing in most climates. In hot zones (8-9), focus on spring and fall plantings with some summer success using shade cloth.

Is Red Sails lettuce good for beginners?▼

Red Sails is excellent for beginning gardeners due to its forgiving nature, heat tolerance, and bolt resistance. It's more resilient than most lettuce varieties and provides visual feedback – healthy plants show vibrant red coloration. The cut-and-come-again harvest method is also beginner-friendly and extends the productive period.

Why are my Red Sails lettuce leaves not turning red?▼

Red Sails needs adequate sunlight (4-6 hours) to develop its signature burgundy coloration. Heavy shade, excessive nitrogen fertilization, or very cool temperatures can reduce red pigment development. Ensure plants receive morning sun and avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen-heavy fertilizers, which promote green growth over color development.