Tropicana
Lactuca sativa
Plants produce full heads with heavy leaves. Tolerant to tipburn. MT0-30. Also available in organic seed or seed with NOP-compliant pelleting.
Harvest
52d
Days to harvest
Sun
'Allstar Mix'
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Tropicana in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 lettuce →Zone Map
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Tropicana · 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
Store freshly harvested Tropicana in the refrigerator's crisper drawer wrapped loosely in damp paper towels, then placed in perforated plastic bags. This method maintains optimal humidity while preventing moisture buildup that causes rot. Properly stored Tropicana keeps 7-10 days – longer than most lettuce varieties thanks to its robust cellular structure.
For preservation, Tropicana excels when dehydrated into lettuce powder for seasoning blends or frozen in smoothie-ready portions. Blanch whole leaves in boiling water for 30 seconds, shock in ice water, pat dry, and freeze in single layers before transferring to freezer bags. While texture changes prevent fresh salad use, frozen Tropicana works excellently in cooked dishes, soups, and green smoothies for up to 8 months.
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, may improve lettuce flavor
Chives
Deters aphids and other soft-bodied insects with strong scent
Carrots
Deep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots, help break up soil
Radishes
Quick harvest allows succession planting, helps break up compacted soil
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and various garden pests through natural compounds
Spinach
Similar growing requirements and can be interplanted for space efficiency
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Garlic
Natural fungicide properties help prevent lettuce diseases
Keep Apart
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit lettuce growth
Broccoli
Heavy feeder that competes for nutrients and casts too much shade
Parsley
Can attract carrot flies which may damage lettuce roots
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346388)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Corky Root (Intermediate)
Common Pests
Aphids, whiteflies, thrips
Diseases
Downy mildew, bacterial leaf spot