Lettuce (Romaine)

📖 About This Plant

Lettuce (Romaine), known as Cos lettuce in the UK, is the structural backbone of the Caesar salad and the most nutritionally dense of all lettuce types, with significantly higher concentrations of vitamins A and K than loose-leaf or butterhead types. Romaine forms tall, upright cylindrical heads with outer leaves that are deep green and somewhat tough, protecting an inner column of paler, more tender leaves with a satisfying crunch and a clean, slightly bitter flavor that pairs exceptionally well with assertive dressings. The upright growth habit gives Romaine a natural advantage over other lettuces in warm weather — the tight, columnar structure prevents moisture accumulation in the heart that causes rot in butterheads during humid summers. Full-size Romaine heads can reach 12 inches tall; mini Romaine varieties ('Little Gem' in the UK, 'Dragoon' in the US) have become enormously popular for their compact size and concentrated sweetness.

📊 Quick Facts

📅 When to Plant in Your Area

🌱 Care Tips

Romaine is started the same way as other lettuces but needs slightly more space — transplant at 10–12 inches apart to allow full head formation. It tolerates more heat than butterhead lettuces and can be grown through light summer conditions with afternoon shade. Sow indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost for spring crops; start again in late summer (6–8 weeks before first fall frost) for the best, sweetest autumn harvest — fall Romaine is significantly superior in flavor to spring. Succession sow every 3 weeks for a continuous supply. Water consistently and evenly; drought causes tipburn (brown, papery edges on inner leaves) and accelerates bolting. Feed lightly every 3–4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer or diluted fish emulsion. Romaine matures slowly — typically 70–75 days from transplant to full head — so plan accordingly. Harvest full heads by cutting at the base 1 inch above the soil; outer leaves will regrow for secondary pickings. In the UK, Little Gem (a compact Romaine/Cos type) matures faster at 50–60 days and is better suited to the shorter UK growing season — grow it in the same way but space 8–10 inches apart.

🤝 Companion Plants

These plants grow well alongside Lettuce:

🌿 Related Vegetable

More vegetable that grow in similar conditions:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions