Last edited on 2 Nov 2026. View history

Devil's Ear Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

Also known as Devil's bit (EN)

A variety of lettuce

How to sow devil's ear lettuce: Direct seed outdoors, thin to 20cm when seedlings are 3cm tall

Sun requirement for devil's ear lettuce: Plant in Partial Sun

A small hearting lettuce with red outside pointy leaves and a green heart. Outstanding, hardy and easy to grow, and stands well in heat. Sow in trays in spring and autumn, or in summer under shade, prick out at 2.5 cm and transplant at 3.5 cm high at 20 cm diagonal spacing. From Northland.

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Growstuff is a free, community-run site for people who grow food. Keep track of what you plant and harvest, find seeds to swap, and see what is growing near you. Join to record your own devil's ear lettuces.

Devil's ear lettuce facts

Lifespan

Annual living and reproducing in a single year or less

Growing devil's ear lettuces

deterring pests

place tilted jars of yeast+warm water (or beer) as slug traps at planting out every month

Growing lettuce

Sow seeds in trays 3 weeks before planting out
Dig compost into the bed 1 week before planting out
Water regularly at planting out every week
Weed around the seedlings 2 weeks after planting out
Sow another batch for a continuous harvest 4 weeks after planting out every month
Start picking the outer leaves at first harvest
Pull out plants that have bolted 6 weeks after first harvest