There are many types of lettuce, such as romaine, lollo rosso or red leaf lettuce, escarole, red oak leaf, French lettuce, iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce heart, tatsoi, red chard, batavia lettuce, arugula, lamb's lettuce, endive, and radicchio. lactuca sativa, which probably sounds more familiar to you by the name of lettuce, is one of the most cultivated and consumed vegetables in the world. Mediterranean diet It is included in most of its salads and dishes, and the enormous diversity of varieties allows consume it all year round in very different ways: in fresh salads, as a garnish or cooked.
In this article we are going to see some of the 14 varieties or types of lettuce most common to better understand this vegetable that has earned the title of queen of salads, and we'll add cultivars and practical growing tips to help you choose and plant.
- Romaine lettuce
- Lollo rosso or red leaf lettuce
- Escarola
- Red oak leaf lettuce
- French lettuce
- Iceberg lettuce
- Romaine lettuce heart
- Tatsoi lettuce
- Red chard lettuce
- Batavia lettuce
- Arugula
- Canon
- Endive
- radicchio
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Romaine lettuce
It is the most common variety in many markets. It has leaves elongated and crispy with a marked central nerve. In cultivation, it allows harvesting by leaves (cut only the outer ones) or the entire bud. It prefers soils loose and fertile, shallow sowing (0,5–1 cm) and frames of 30–40 cm between plants and 40–50 cm between rows. It tolerates a wide temperature range and allows staggered sowing to have continuous harvests.
Lollo rosso or red leaf lettuce
Of Italian origin, its blade is very curly and reddish tones. It offers a slight bitterness which provides contrast in mezclum. It develops best in seasons temperate and cool; if the heat is high, the risk of spiky. Maintain frequent watering without flooding and at a distance of 25–30 cm. It is ideal for mixed salads, sandwiches and side dishes.
Escarola
Close relative (genus cichorium), with leaves straight or very curly and flavor with touches spicy and bitter. It adapts very well to the cold and is a staple in winter gardens. It can be blanched by gently tying the bud to soften the bitterness. 30–40 cm frame and regular watering.
Red oak leaf lettuce
Recognizable by its jagged leaves, reminiscent of an oak, with color ranging from green to purple. Tender texture and sweet taste. Prefers mild climates; shallow sowing (0,5–1 cm), continuous watering, and 25–30 cm spacing. Very decorative in dishes.
French lettuce
Also called trocadero or butterhead, forms loose, textured buds buttery and mild flavor. Works great in soils with good drainage and organic matter. Avoid heat exhaustion, maintain constant watering, and harvest the bud when it's firm to the touch. Classic varieties: and Boston.
Iceberg lettuce
From the bud round and compact, crispy leaves and great capacity of postharvest. It requires wider frames (30 cm between plants x 50 cm between rows) and shallow sowing (0,5–1 cm). Within this type, the cultivars of the group and Batavia, appreciated for their uniformity and resistance to bolting. They require regular watering and good aeration to prevent rot.
Romaine lettuce heart
Known as Little gem or buds, are miniature Romanesque: tight, sweet, and very crunchy leaves. Perfect for small homes: the whole plant can be harvested. Slightly higher densities (20–25 cm) allow take advantage of space and have quick harvests (approx. 45 days from transplant depending on climate).
Tatsoi lettuce
Of Asian origin, with leaves in low rosette and dark green color, common in mesclun. It is rustic to cold, with short cycles and excellent for harvesting by leaves. Dense sowing, 20 x 20 cm, and moderate watering. Its flavor is reminiscent of baby spinach.
Red chard lettuce
Known as red chard In many catalogues, it provides brightly coloured stems and green leaves to the mesclunAlthough it is not a strict lettuce, it shares basic management: superficial sowing, constant irrigation and successive leaf cuts to new outbreak whenever you need it.
Batavia lettuce
Loose bud and leaves curly, tender and buttery texture. It oxidizes easily after cutting, so it is advisable harvest and consume right away. It exists in green and reddish. Good drainage, continuous watering, and spacing of 25–30 cm. It makes a great base for family salads.
Arugula
Of flavor intense and slightly spicy, grown year-round, avoiding extreme heat. Ideal for sowing successive and harvesting of tender leaves. Widely used in pizzas, pastas, and salads for its aromatic character.
Canon
Small, rounded leaves, dark green and very tender in texture. It prefers cool temperatures (autumn-spring) and dense sowing to cut the full bunch. Maintain constant humidity without flooding.
Endive
Classic cultivation of bleach: Root is produced in the field and then the shoot is induced in darkness to obtain crisp, white leaves with a pleasant bitterness. It requires specific handling, cool temperatures, and controlled humidity during the forcing phase.
radicchio
Form small “tails” with leaves red and white nerves. Elegant bitter taste that can be softened with techniques bleach. It prefers cool climates and fertile soils. It combines very well with blue cheeses, nuts and pears.
Other recommended varieties and cultivars
If you are looking to expand your garden, consider these options: (greenish and reddish colors; very tasty), and AddressYou can also check out our recommendations at types of growing tables.
Practical cultivation guide: soil, sowing, irrigation and climate
Lettuce prefers soils loamy or sandy loam, with pH 6–7 and a good supply of organic material. Sow shallowly (0,5–1 cm), keep the substrate always wet and avoid puddles. Depending on the size, use frames of 20–25 cm (baby, lamb's lettuce) until 30–50 cm (Roman, iceberg). The exposure may be full sun with good irrigation or semi-shadow in hot climates. In the southern hemisphere, reverse the seasons when planning plantings.
Crop association and rotation
Avoid repeating lettuce or composites in the same plot to reduce plagues and diseases. Alternates with legumes (they provide nitrogen), roots (carrot, radish) and brassicasGood associations: onion, garlic, carrot, radish, and aromatic herbs such as basil o cilantro that confuse insects.
Common pests and diseases
Typical problems: aphid and thrips (sap suckers), slugs and snails (they eat leaves), and fungi like mildew, powdery mildew or botrytis (favored by humidity and poor ventilation). Cultural measures: irrigation by drip, wide frames, ventilation, padding, debris removal and monitoring. It provides potassium and calcium for firm tissues.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the bud is ripe firm or by outer leaves in cut varieties. Handle carefully, cool quickly and store in refrigeration (humid area, away from climacteric fruits with ethylene). Wash just before eating and dry to avoid oxidationIceberg and compact buds last longer than loose leaves.
Tying and blanching lettuce
El tied of the bud (with soft band) reduces the light on the interior and favors the bleach In certain varieties, this results in more tender and less bitter leaves. Do this on dry days, check the ventilation, and avoid keeping the bundle tied for too many days to prevent mushrooms.
Find your favorite vegetable with the different varieties of lettuce
If you plant the same thing year after year, you may get bored and not take advantage of the crop rotation. As variety is the spice of life, there is a wide fan of types of lettuce to choose the one that best suits your climate, soil and kitchen.
Let's look at the different varieties of lettuce (harvest dates for the southern hemisphere)
Choose varieties with resistance to bolting and diseases if your climate is extreme. In the southern hemisphere remember reverse the seasons Compared to northern guidelines, adjust watering, planting times, and timing to your microclimate.
In some of these, we'll see both conventional lettuce varieties and other rarer ones, with flavor variations to mix into salads and give a leap in quality.
The first thing to do is decide to grow lettuce, one of the most typical vegetables present in almost all salads. The options are “baby” such as Little Gem and the cultivars Reina de Mayo or Kagraner Sommer, expand the calendar and the range of flavors and textures.
These are the ideal types of lettuce for the garden. Keep researching, because there are many tips on lettuce diseases, How harvest to make them last longer and balanced salad combinations. What do you think? If you have questions or want to share your experience, leave a comment and share this content to help other gardeners.