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Red Velvet

Lactuca sativa 'Red Velvet'

A stunning loose-leaf variety that brings dramatic burgundy-red color to the garden and gourmet appeal to the table with its deeply ruffled, almost frilly leaves. This heat-tolerant beauty maintains its vibrant coloration even in warm weather while delivering exceptional flavor with tender, sweet leaves that add both visual impact and culinary excellence to any salad mix. The combination of ornamental beauty and outstanding performance makes it a standout choice for edible landscaping.

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 Velvet in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 lettuce →

Zone Map

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Red Velvet · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing8-12 inches

SoilRich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, consistent moisture

SeasonCool season

FlavorMild, sweet, and tender with no bitterness, slight mineral notes

ColorDeep burgundy-red with green undertones, ruffled edges

SizeIndividual leaves 4-6 inches, plants spread 10-12 inches

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 Velvet lettuce stores best when harvested dry and immediately refrigerated. Gently wash leaves in cool water, spin dry thoroughly, and store in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator's crisper drawer. Properly stored leaves maintain quality for 7-10 days.

Avoid storing wet leaves, which quickly develop slimy spots and decay. The burgundy coloration may fade slightly during storage but flavor remains intact.

Red Velvet doesn't preserve well through traditional methods like canning or freezing, as the delicate leaves become mushy. However, you can extend your harvest by succession planting every 2-3 weeks during cool seasons.

For longer-term storage, consider making lettuce soup or adding leaves to green smoothies before freezing. The leaves also work well dehydrated as seasoning flakes, though they lose their dramatic color. Focus on extending fresh storage life rather than preservation methods for best results with this variety.

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 flavor while providing natural pest deterrent

Carrots

Deep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots, and carrots help break up soil

Radishes

Fast-growing radishes can be harvested before lettuce needs space, and they help loosen soil

Marigolds

Repel nematodes, aphids, and other pests that commonly attack lettuce

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from lettuce

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that control lettuce pests

Spinach

Similar growing requirements and can be interplanted for efficient space usage

Garlic

Natural fungicide properties help prevent downy mildew and other fungal diseases in lettuce

Keep Apart

Broccoli

Large leaves create excessive shade and compete heavily for nutrients needed by lettuce

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit lettuce germination and growth

Sunflowers

Tall growth creates too much shade and roots release chemicals that can stunt lettuce growth

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

Good heat tolerance, slow to bolt, moderate disease resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, slugs, snails, flea beetles

Diseases

Downy mildew, lettuce drop, bacterial leaf spot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Red Velvet lettuce take to grow?▼

Red Velvet lettuce is ready for first harvest in 45-55 days from seed, but you can begin harvesting baby leaves at 25-30 days. Using cut-and-come-again harvesting, you'll get continuous production for 6-8 weeks from a single planting. In ideal cool weather conditions, plants may continue producing for up to 10 weeks before bolting.

Can you grow Red Velvet lettuce in containers?▼

Yes, Red Velvet lettuce grows excellently in containers. Use pots at least 6-8 inches deep and 8-10 inches wide for single plants, or larger containers for multiple plants spaced 6 inches apart. Container growing actually helps manage moisture levels and provides better pest control. Choose containers with drainage holes and use high-quality potting mix enriched with compost.

What does Red Velvet lettuce taste like?▼

Red Velvet lettuce has a mild, sweet flavor with tender leaves and no bitterness, even when mature. The taste is distinctly sweeter than most red lettuces, with subtle mineral notes that add complexity without overwhelming delicate salad ingredients. The texture is crisp when fresh but not tough, making it excellent for both garnishes and substantial salad bases.

When should I plant Red Velvet lettuce?▼

Plant Red Velvet lettuce in early spring when soil temperatures reach 45-65°F, typically 2-4 weeks before the last frost. In hot climates, stop spring plantings by early to mid-April and resume in late August for fall harvests. Northern gardeners can succession plant every 2-3 weeks through summer. This variety's heat tolerance extends the growing season compared to other lettuces.

Is Red Velvet lettuce good for beginners?▼

Yes, Red Velvet is excellent for beginning gardeners due to its forgiving nature and heat tolerance. It's more resilient than most lettuce varieties, slower to bolt, and provides clear visual cues for harvest timing. The main requirement is consistent watering - if you can maintain steady moisture levels, this variety will perform reliably even with minimal gardening experience.

Red Velvet vs Oak Leaf lettuce - what's the difference?▼

Red Velvet has deeply ruffled, almost frilly burgundy leaves with exceptional heat tolerance, while Oak Leaf lettuces have lobed leaves resembling oak tree foliage. Red Velvet maintains better color intensity in heat and has a sweeter flavor profile. Oak Leaf varieties tend to be slightly more cold-hardy but bolt faster in warm weather. Both are excellent for cut-and-come-again harvesting.