Last edited on 2 Nov 2026. View history

Lightheart Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

Also known as Manhattan (EN) Deer's Tongue (EN)

A variety of lettuce

How to sow lightheart lettuce: Direct seed outdoors, thin to 20cm when seedlings are 3cm tall

Sun requirement for lightheart lettuce: Plant in Partial Sun

One of the oldest lettuces known, small with a tight green heart that is very sweet and crunchy. Similar to Odell's, but the leaf has distinct pointy ends. Also called Manhattan and, in some catalogues, Deer's Tongue. A Rotorua family grew it for 50 years after a grandfather imported it from Manhattan. Sow in trays in spring and autumn, prick out at 2.5 cm and transplant at 3.5 cm high at 10 cm spacing.

0: plantings
0: harvests
0: seed packets

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 lightheart lettuces.

Lightheart lettuce facts

Lifespan

Annual living and reproducing in a single year or less

Growing lightheart 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