TYPICAL SPACING25 cm
VEGETABLE · ANNUAL
Lettuce Growing Guide
Plan lettuce with succession sowing, realistic spacing, watering and harvest timing for a steadier supply.
PLANT PROFILE
Track in My Garden →Lettuce
Broad planning defaults are available in the connected calculators; variety instructions and local conditions take priority.
INDOOR LEAD5 weeks
BROAD MATURITY50 days
LIFECYCLEAnnual
Give lettuce the right place before you calculate dates.
Lettuce is ideal for succession sowing because one very large sowing often creates more mature heads than a household can use at once. Small repeat batches are easier to manage and can be adjusted as weather changes.
Use good light in cool conditions and consider some protection from the harshest heat when summers become hot. Containers and small beds work well because lettuce has a relatively compact footprint compared with large fruiting crops.
Plan the start around the way this plant actually grows.
Seed can be started in modules or sown directly. A repeat interval of one to several weeks can create a more continuous supply, but the interval should change when heat or cold slows germination and growth.
Consistent moisture helps keep growth moving and reduces stress. Overcrowding reduces airflow and makes it harder to harvest cleanly. Thin seedlings or transplant at a spacing that matches whether you want baby leaves or full heads.
Use maturity as a window, then check the real plant.
Leaf types can often be harvested gradually, while heading types are usually taken when the head reaches the desired size and firmness. Warm weather can shorten the useful harvest window as plants begin to bolt.
Build a succession schedule, then use spacing and harvest timing to decide how many plants each batch should contain.
How should I use the numbers on this page?
Spacing: 25 cm is the current broad planning default. Do not tighten spacing simply to increase the plant count.
Maturity: 50 days is a broad planning estimate. Weather and cultivar can materially change the real timing.
Local conditions: Frost pockets, wind exposure, soil drainage and container size can make two gardens in the same town behave differently.