Lactuca Life Cycle

Growth Time from Seed

Lactuca, a genus in the aster family, is a group of annual edible lettuces that grow from seed over a period of 80 days. Lactuca seeds are commonly planted in the spring and late summer to complete their 80 day germination and maturation cycle while avoiding the periods of hard frost in any given growing climate. In colder climates with shorter seasons, lactuca seeds are started indoors and planted out in the soil in spring when temperatures have warmed and frosts have passed.

Germination

Lactuca seeds require consistently and evenly moist soil for germination that never dries out. Lactuca requires relatively cool but not frosty ambient and soil temperatures for germination and healthy growth. Ideally temperatures for producing lactuca are 60- and 70-degrees Fahrenheit. As the seed germinates small pale whorled seedlings emerge from the soil within a few weeks of planting depending on the varietal of lactuca being grown.

Foliage Maturation & Seed Production

At approximately 6 weeks, the lactuca will be recognizable as a head of lettuce in a small format. These baby lettuces can be picked and eaten at any time up until their maturation at which point they will begin to degrade. Warmer temperatures between 70 and 80-degrees Fahrenheit help to trigger lactuca to produce a flower stalk that contains seeds. The flower stalks can be allowed to mature on the plant and self sow their seed or the plants can be harvested and placed in cold storage to be eaten within days.