Just as diverse as the culinary uses are the varieties of cultivable lettuce for the home garden. In this guide, the gardener will find a clear selection including information on site conditions and planting time.

In a nutshell

  • continuous harvest possible
  • different flavors from mild to nutty
  • Advance from March
  • Planting time from April
  • humic soil
  • Sowing depth 0.5 cm

Varieties from A - C

Australian Yellow

  • Leaf color: greenish yellow
  • Leaf shape: curled
Source: GT1976, 2022-06-18 (109) Lactuca sativa (garden lettuce) at Bichlhäusl in Frankenfels, Austria, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Australian yellow owes its name to its strikingly light-colored leaves. In a warm location, the lettuce forms heads of up to 40 cm. The soil should be humus and loose. A bed in a sunny location is well suited. The Australian Yellow also tolerates partial shade. In addition, the gardener can also cultivate it in the balcony box. However, this is only possible with a single lettuce, as the gardener must also cut this variety outdoors to 5 cm and later to 10-20 cm as soon as the leaves touch. Here the picking lettuce is happy about the company of:

  • Kohlrabi
  • radish
  • fennel
  • peas

Being good neighbors rewards the vegetable plant with high yields. The germination time is just 6 to 15 days. Another advantage of the Australian Yellow is that he shoots late.

Catalogna

  • Leaf color: light green
  • Leaf shape: lobed, jagged
Source: Ping an Chang, 萵苣（不同品種） 20221125140140 10, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

With its long, jagged leaves, the Catalogna is reminiscent of an oversized dandelion. In the greenhouse, cultivation is possible all year round. From a culinary point of view, the cultivation is always worthwhile. The crunchy leaves taste spicy, slightly bitter and can even be boiled like spinach. A major benefit of this strain is that it is bolt resistant.

Varieties from D - K

Oak Leaf Lettuce

  • Leaf color: green or red
  • Leaf shape: serrated
Bjankuloski06en, Oak Leaf Lettuce, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

The oak leaf lettuce is suitable for cultivation outdoors or in pots. The main thing is that it is sunny to half-shady and thrives in loose, humus-rich, permeable and, above all, nutrient-rich soil. It is a young breeding form, from which numerous different varieties have emerged:

  • Bijella: colorful variety, usually brownish with a green heart
  • Bolchoi: compact growth, curly leaves
  • Navara: green or red leaves
  • Radichetta: jagged, pointed leaves in green
  • Red Salad Bowl: big, red heads
  • Salad bowl: also large heads in green
  • Till: pointed, green leaves with a yellow heart

The oak leaf lettuce is known for its hazelnut-like, fine taste. Restaurateurs like to use it to decorate the buffet. The heads of lettuce in light green or with a red shimmer also look attractive in the garden. The combination with:

  • fennel
  • horseradish
  • rhubarb
  • radish
  • dill
  • tomatoes
  • chervil
  • or other lettuce

but rather serves the practical purpose of being a good neighbor. The pick-lettuce, on the other hand, does not go well with parsley. Although oak leaf lettuce is one of the most popular types of lettuce, unfortunately it is not easy to grow. On the one hand, the leaves are very soft and sensitive, on the other hand, it shoots early. Plus, it only keeps in the fridge for a short time.

fennel

deer tongue

  • Leaf color: deep red
  • Leaf shape: finely toothed

The deer tongue comes from America and is visually reminiscent of its name. It is available in different varieties, which are usually hybrids of oak leaf lettuce species. The harvest is already possible after 55 days. Deer tongue tastes pleasantly tender.

Varieties from L - Q

Lattughino verde

  • Leaf color: green
  • Leaf shape: slit

This old variety is also known as finger lettuce. It requires a planting distance of 20 to 25 cm and feels at home in moderately warm locations. The nutrient requirement is also not as high as with other lettuce. Lattughino verde is a late shooting variety. Botanists recommend growing the leafy greens for no more than three years in a row.

Lollo Bionda

  • Leaf color: light green
  • Leaf shape: finely toothed
Source: Jamain, Lollo Bionda lettuce J1, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Lollo Bionda is the green counterpart to the Lollo Rosso. This variety also comes from Italy. The fine, tender leaves convince with a tasty aroma, are strong and crunchy. Lollo Bionda forms medium-sized, loose, spherical heads. Harvesting is possible after 5 to 6 weeks. The fact that it shoots late makes it a very popular variety among lettuce.

Notice: Lollo Bionda is perfect for mixed cultures because it is resistant to snails and thus protects other plants from infestation.

Lollo rosso

  • Leaf color: intense red
  • Leaf shape: curled
Lollo rossa, lollo rosso, cut lettuce

With the Lollo Rosso, a real Italian comes into the garden. One could truly call this strain temperamental, possessing many distinctive features compared to its relatives. On the one hand, the Lollo Rosso is in season until December. On the other hand, it does not form a head, but a rosette with solid leaves.

Notice: The gardener should carefully inspect the leaves of Lollo Rosso both for shopping in the supermarket and for using his own cultivation. Due to the dark red color, withered leaves hardly stand out from the edible ones. The dark red leafy vegetables taste strong and nutty, almost slightly bitter.

ox tongue

  • Leaf color: green
  • Leaf shape: oblong

The ox tongue is a traditional variety from Romania or Kazakhstan and forms bright green leaves that are up to 25 cm long. This variety has a unique taste. It inspires with a nutty aroma and a fleshy, yet delicate consistency.

Varieties from R - Z

RedVelvet

  • Leaf color: dark red
  • Leaf shape: curled

This pick-lettuce variety, which has been known for a long time, tastes mild and powerful at the same time. Its dark red, almost brown leaves are a decorative addition to the vegetable patch.

Source: Jamain, Red leaf lettuce J1, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

earth

  • Leaf color: green
  • Leaf shape: strongly wavy

The Terre variety is at home in Turkey and relatively unknown in Germany. However, cultivation is still very worthwhile due to the tasty, broad leaves.

Venetian brown

  • Leaf color: light green
  • Leaf shape: wide, serrated

The Venetian brown is, so to speak, an old hand among the lettuce. Its popularity is as great as its notoriety. This is mainly due to its rapid growth, which enables an early harvest.

Notice: The gardener does not have to worry about powdery mildew infestation with the Venetian bay.

Winter Latughino

  • Leaf color: reddish
  • Leaf shape: curled

The Winter Lattughino is a bit of a specialty among its peers. Its sowing or planting time is already in September and October. Of course, this picking lettuce is hardy, but still needs a little protection, for example fleece. Early sowing makes it possible to enjoy the fine leaves as early as Easter. The gardener can look forward to a lush growth. In addition, this old variety shoots late.

Witte Dunsel

  • Leaf color: light green
  • Leaf shape: smooth
Source: Prenn, Lactuca sativa var. (2), edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

If you want to harvest lettuce all year round, the Witte Dunsel is the best choice. This strain can be grown all year round.

frequently asked Questions

What to watch out for when harvesting?

The gardener should always harvest lettuce as needed, as it cannot be stored for long. However, self-sufficient people can preferably help themselves to the heads throughout the summer. However, this only applies if he does not cut into the heart of the plant, but always plucks the outer leaves. If he uses scissors for harvesting, they should be clean and sterile.

What is the difference between lettuce and lettuce?

Lettuce has a number of advantages over lettuce. On the one hand, they are considered to be more robust, on the other hand, harvesting is possible after just a few weeks.

Category:

Vegetable garden