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Lettuce Microgreens

Lactuca sativa

Beautiful large dark red heads with nicely contrasting green centers. Excellent flavor and texture. The surest heading of red butterheads. Utility Patent granted. MT0-30. Also available with NOP-compliant pelleting.

Harvest

47d

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

Start Indoors

Harvest

Start Indoors

Harvest

Showing dates for Lettuce Microgreens in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 microgreen →

Zone Map

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Lettuce Microgreens · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

SpacingDense seeding, no spacing needed

SoilLight, well-draining potting mix or coconut coir

pH6.0-7.0

WaterLight misting 2-3 times daily, avoid overwatering

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorMild, sweet, and buttery with no bitterness

ColorLight to medium green leaves with white to pale green stems

Size1-2 inch shoots with small cotyledon leaves

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 4	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 5	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 6	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 7	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 8	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 9	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 10	January – December	—	—	January – 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 lettuce microgreens are highly perishable and best used within 3-5 days of harvest. Store them immediately in the refrigerator between 35-40°F with high humidity. Place the cleaned microgreens in a breathable container lined with slightly damp paper towels, or use perforated plastic bags to maintain moisture while preventing condensation buildup.

Avoid washing until just before use, as excess moisture accelerates decay. For optimal freshness, store in crisper drawers where humidity levels remain consistent. Unlike mature lettuce, microgreens don't preserve well through traditional methods—they're too delicate for freezing and lose their crisp texture when dried. Your best preservation strategy is successive planting, starting new trays every 3-4 days to ensure continuous harvest of peak-quality microgreens.

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 other soft-bodied insects that attack lettuce

Radish

Quick germination helps break soil crust and deters flea beetles

Marigold

Repels aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects and may improve lettuce flavor and growth

Garlic

Natural fungicide properties help prevent damping-off disease in microgreens

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and adds pest-repelling compounds to soil

Cilantro

Attracts beneficial insects and has similar growing requirements

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts parasitic wasps that control aphids and other lettuce pests

Parsley

Compatible growth habits and may help deter some flying pests

Keep Apart

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit germination and growth of lettuce

Brassicas

Compete for similar nutrients and may harbor pests like flea beetles

Sunflower

Releases allelopathic chemicals that can inhibit lettuce seed germination

Nutrition Facts

Calories

69kcal(3%)

Protein

1.5g(3%)

Fiber

5.3g(19%)

Carbs

17.6g(6%)

Fat

0.1g(0%)

Vitamin C

54.1mg(60%)

Vitamin A

5mcg(1%)

Iron

1.61mg(9%)

Calcium

8mg(1%)

Potassium

304mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #167782)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Downy Mildew (EU) races 16-26, 32 (High); Downy Mildew (US) races 5-9 (High); Lettuce Leaf Aphid Nasonovia ribisnigri (High); Lettuce Mosaic Virus (Intermediate)

Common Pests

Aphids (uncommon indoors)

Diseases

Damping off if kept too wet

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do lettuce microgreens take to grow?▼

Lettuce microgreens typically take 7-14 days from seeding to harvest, with most varieties ready in 7-10 days. The exact timing depends on growing conditions like temperature and light. They're ready when the cotyledons are fully expanded and the first true leaves are just beginning to emerge, usually when plants reach 1-2 inches tall.

Can you grow lettuce microgreens without soil?▼

Yes, lettuce microgreens grow excellently in soilless mediums like coconut coir, vermiculite, or specialized growing mats. Many commercial growers prefer coconut coir because it provides good moisture retention without the risk of soil-borne pathogens. Hydroponic growing mats designed for microgreens also work well and create less mess during harvesting.

Do lettuce microgreens need light to grow?▼

Lettuce microgreens need darkness for the first 2-3 days to encourage strong root development, then require 10-12 hours of indirect light daily. LED grow lights positioned 12-18 inches above work perfectly. Direct sunlight can be too intense and cause the delicate leaves to bolt or develop bitter flavors.

Are lettuce microgreens good for beginners?▼

Absolutely! Lettuce microgreens are among the easiest microgreens to grow successfully. They have high germination rates, grow quickly, are forgiving of minor mistakes, and don't require special equipment. Their mild flavor is also appealing to most people, making them an excellent choice for first-time microgreen growers.

What do lettuce microgreens taste like?▼

Lettuce microgreens have a mild, sweet, and buttery flavor with no bitterness. They taste like concentrated young lettuce leaves—familiar and approachable rather than intense or peppery like some microgreens. Their delicate flavor complements other ingredients without overwhelming them, making them versatile for salads, sandwiches, and garnishes.

How many times can you harvest lettuce microgreens?▼

Lettuce microgreens can only be harvested once. Unlike some microgreens that regrow after cutting, lettuce microgreens are harvested by cutting the stem, which kills the plant. For continuous harvests, start new trays every 3-4 days so you'll always have fresh microgreens ready as previous trays are depleted.