Last edited on 2 Nov 2026. View history

Winter Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

A variety of lettuce

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

Sun requirement for winter lettuce: Plant in Partial Sun

A finger or endive type lettuce with curly, long green finger leaves that can be picked all winter. One of the first heritage vegetable seeds given to a Koanga (a NZ seed bank) founder, from Kaiwaka, Northland. Sow in trays in autumn, prick out at 2.5 cm and transplant at 25 cm diagonal spacing, timed to mature around May in warm climates and March in cold climates.

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 winter lettuces.

Winter lettuce facts

Lifespan

Annual living and reproducing in a single year or less

Growing winter 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