Last edited on 28 Oct 2026. View history

Romaine Lettuce

Also known as cos lettuce (en)

A variety of lettuce

How to sow romaine lettuce: Direct seed indoors or outside.

Sun requirement for romaine lettuce: Plant in Partial Sun

Romaine is a variety of lettuce that grows into a dense, tall head. It's leaves are light to bright green and have firm ribs down their centers. It is more tolerant of heat than most lettuces.

18: plantings
6: harvests
1: seed packet

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 romaine lettuces.

Romaine lettuce facts

Lifespan

Annual living and reproducing in a single year or less

13 weeks median lifespan

First harvest expected

8 weeks after planting

Last harvest expected

9 weeks after planting

Height × spread

30cm × 30cm

Row Spacing

40cm

Grown for

leaf harvested 5 times

Growing romaine 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