best lettuce varieties to grow indoors

‘Tom Thumb’:A small butterhead lettuce perfect for growing in small spaces. Four basic types of lettuce are butterhead, crisphead, cos or romaine (upright) and loose-leaf. It is originated from Europe and grows well in China, Egypt, and North America. Water as needed. Baby leaf lettuce varieties tend to be the most tender anyway. There are many varieties of lettuce available to the gardener, and most of them are incredibly simple to grow. Humid conditions may foster fungal problems, such as powdery mildew or downy mildew. Some varieties are known to grow well in winter light, such as Arctic King, Winter Marvel and Winter Density. Avoid getting any fertilizer on the leaves. For soil, choose a planting mix that's made for seed starting, such as Seed Starting Mix. For most of us, that's a pleasure reserved for spring through fall. … Prepare containers which correspond in size to your lettuce stump. Look for loose-leaf varieties, such as Baby Oakleaf, Tom Thumb and Black-Seeded Simpson. Prepare containers which correspond in size to your lettuce stump. The best growth occurs at 60 to 70 degrees. Start fertilizing after the first true leaves appear (they are the second pair of leaves that develop). Avoid head lettuces, which are difficult to grow indoors. Some upright varieties stay small. Then spray with water until thoroughly moist. Lettuce seeds are tiny, and they need, light to germinate, so cover the seeds lightly -- never more. Start fertilizing after the first true leaves appear (they are the second pair of leaves that develop). Lettuce is a rich source of vitamin K, vitamin A and has vitamin B12, calcium, iron, magnesium, and folate. Shake the leaves dry, then wrap them in dry paper towels before refrigerating. Use, a fertilizer solution at half-strength, once a week for three weeks. Leave the remaining leaves to grow for a few days longer. fertilizer is good for growing lettuce indoors. Growing lettuce in containers also allows you to control weeds and pests more easily than in a large garde… Because lettuce is perishable, cut only what you need. Another green variety, ‘Igloo,’ with its lightly serrated leaves, is quick to mature in only 70 days. Lettuce From a Flower Pot. This is probably the most traditional indoor way of growing lettuce. than 1/4-in (.5 cm) -- with potting medium. Growing lettuce indoors allows you to reap a huge variety of fresh, crispy homegrown lettuce year-round. 'Little Gem' is a popular upright variety. full-spectrum light, while using 45% less energy than standard fluorescent bulbs. Loose leaf lettuce varieties, such as 'Black Seeded Simpson' and 'Tom Thumb', baby spinach varieties, such as 'Catalina', arugula and mesclun mix are some good choices. The light garden shown here, provides full-spectrum light, while using 45% less energy than standard fluorescent bulbs. Then spray with water until thoroughly moist. Growing lettuce in containers makes it easy to bring them inside to grow year round. When growing lettuce indoors, in a warm, dry house, they may need watered every couple days. The best type for growing lettuce indoors is the loose-leaf kind. When growing lettuce indoors, in a warm, dry house, they may need watered every couple days. Start the Lettuce. There are lots of different types of lettuce you can grow, and each variety has its own unique character traits. Some upright varieties stay small. Keep light fixture close -- no more than 4 in (10 cm) above the seedlings -- and leave it on for 14 hours a day. Copyright © 2008-2020 Guide-to-Houseplants.com. Baby leaf lettuce varieties tend to be the most tender anyway. These are quite easy to grow. Spinach is one of the fastest-growing leafy green vegetables. Below are some of the most common types of lettuce and some of the specific varieties you can grow. Because you are growing indoors, you will need a pot, a light source (led grow light). Turn it off at night because plants won't thrive in continuous light. Spinach is one of the fastest-growing leafy green vegetables. Romaine Lettuce. Can I grow Iceberg lettuce indoors/without sunlight/hydroponically? It matures early and has soft leaves with a mild taste. Growing Lettuce Indoors Pick a spot away from active heat sources and cold drafts, and inaccessible to mischievous, hungry pets. Very lightly cover the seeds with seed starting mix. Fish emulsion or other organic. Here you'll discover the best types of lettuce to grow indoors, how to grow lettuce under lights, how much to water, when to fertilize and more. Which lettuce variety grows well indoors? Exotic mistletoe cactus makes a stunning house plant. I read your article, mentioning Lettuce as an indoor plant, but later, you mention "IF YOU GIVE IT LIGHT." allowing the inner leaves to grow. Iceberg: Iceberg, also known as crisphead, forms a dense head resembling a cabbage. Buttercrunch lettuce (butterhead) Butterhead lettuce is light green color, and it has leaves that are … Growing Leafy Greens and Herbs. Look for lettuce varieties that mature in 45 to 55 days. Wash them well and poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage. The large … Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off. Above you will see a photo of my lettuce once it sprouted. Seedlings need more intense light than mature plants. It is … Follow these super simple steps to growing lettuce indoors from scrap: Pick a healthy romaine lettuce for this experiment. If you’re a high-end chef and you’re ready to take your salads to the … Some good loose-leaf varieties include 'Oak Leaf' and 'Salad Bowl'. Because lettuce grows well in part shade, you can grow it indoors over the winter in a sunny window. Growing Lettuce Indoors. Once sprouts appear, remove the cover and thin the seedlings so they're about an inch apart. Do not use garden soil or "potting soil," which is often too coarse for seed starting. You'll find this rainforest native captivating, even without white berries. Some upright varieties stay small. Give them at least 6 hours in front of a sunny window. This is probably the most traditional indoor way of growing lettuce. Your chosen location must also be a safe one. I read your article, mentioning Lettuce as an indoor plant, but later, you mention "IF YOU GIVE IT LIGHT." If you're in a climate with very little sun, purchase a grow light from a plant nursery and position it about 12 inches (30 cm) overhead. You don't have to waste them. Take a walk through your living space to determine suitable, sunny spots — ideally, a place that gets 12 hours of bright light each day. Green Leaf Lettuce Green leaf lettuce grows to the baby leaf stage (1.5- to 3.5-inches long) requires the least amount of light. Lettuce seedlings are edible, delicious and chock-full of vitamins A and C. When and How to Fertilize. Keep light fixture close -- no more than 4 in (10 cm), above the seedlings -- and leave it on for 14 hours a day. Mesclun mixes, arugula and baby spinach also do well, but don’t be afraid of experimenting with other varieties or you might miss out on a special favorite you haven’t discovered yet. All rights reserved. Smaller lettuce varieties can be grown around these larger varieties to make the most out of your container space. Container growing lettuce is a common practice for small space gardeners such as apartment dwellers. Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site. If you don't have enough light on a windowsill, grow your crop under lights. Monitor the moisture level to make sure your seedlings are moist but not waterlogged. As a general rule of thumb, lettuce heads will need 6-12″ of space per plant in a container. Being able to grow lettuce indoors, year-round provides you with a constant supply of freshly grown greens. If seedlings don't get enough strong light, they'll become spindly. Some varieties of lettuce, like iceberg or butterhead will take up the most space. Grow the Hydroponic Way. Butterhead and loose-leaf lettuce varieties are the best choice to grow in containers. Skip the shop lights. Keep the seedlings moist but not overwatered. Another green variety, ‘Igloo,’ with its lightly serrated leaves, is quick to mature in only 70 days. Best Types of Lettuce for Your Salad. I usually start Bibb and Romaine seeds under lights in early March and set out seedlings in pots and beds when days warm and nights stay in … Avoid head lettuces, which are difficult to grow indoors. Apart from being easiest to grow indoors, another bonus in growing loose-leaf lettuce is the abundance in harvest. Cool to average room temperatures of 60-70°F/16-21°C, with a 10°F/6°C drop at night, will keep seedlings growing steadily. Lettuce plants grow best with direct sunlight. Varieties especially suited for growing indoors include black seeded simpson and tom thumb. A seed-starting system with a wicking mat and a water reservoir makes it easy to keep your lettuce watered. Sow the seeds in a pot or you can use plastic bottles. Some sources list as many as 15 different types of lettuce, but most authorities list four main classifications: Leaf lettuce grows in loose leaves that emerge directly from the soil. Tip #4: Starting Lettuce Seeds in a Garden. A sunporch can be ideal, providing more sun exposure as well as the cooler temperatures ideal for cold-loving lettuce. Grow lights raise good seedlings. Depending upon available sunlight, even urban gardeners can raise a steady supply of your favorite greens on a windowsill or beneath grow lights. They mature faster than romaine and iceberg types, and make fast growth early on. Some good cultivars... Crisphead lettuce forms very tight, spherical heads of leaves. I have a 10,000 sqft building, with no direct sun light. Butterhead and loose-leaf lettuce varieties are the best choice to grow in containers. I have a 10,000 sqft building, with no direct sun light. These include Garden Babies, Merlot, Baby Oakleaf, Salad Bowl, Lollo Rosa, Black-Seeded Simpson, Tom Thumb, and Red Deer Tongue. Lettuce is one of the few vegetables that will grow with less than six hours of sunlight daily (though not much less), and it’s easy to grow from seed, making it great for trying inside. Cover the seeds in a very thin layer of planting mix. Guide-to-Houseplants.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Small Tomatoes: Patio Each patio tomato plant grows to about 18 inches in height and is … Lacinato, Kale. you do have control. Of course, you could also simply grow lettuce indoors, or in containers that can be brought indoors before the first frosts. Lettuce is a cool season crop and leaves develop best in cool but not chill temperatures. Don't use a heating mat for the seedlings. This helps to prevent fungal diseases such as damping off. However, salad lovers can grow lettuce indoors, all winter long. Don't use a heating mat for the seedlings. The large … LED for 10,000 sqftt would be way too expensive. Lettuce is one of the easiest vegetables to grow outside, … Knowing which type you’re growing is helpful when you select the seeds. Container growing lettuce is a common practice for small space gardeners such as apartment dwellers. Flat, fairly shallow containers with good drainage are ideal. Old Italian heirloom, rather primitive open kale with blue-green strap leaves that are … LED for 10,000 sqftt would be way too expensive. Of course, you could also simply grow lettuce indoors, or in containers that can be brought indoors before the first frosts. 1: Spinach. Choosing the Right Variety of Lettuce to Grow Indoors. How to grow it indoors. Watch your crop closely because mature lettuce plants go to seed quickly and become bitter-tasting. When the harvest is complete, plant another set of seeds. Growing lettuce in containers also allows you to control weeds and pests more easily than in a large garde… Get in on the best deals, new products and gardening tips. We have used these Barrina lights with success. You could also experiment with other cold weather crops such as radish, although I have not personally tried this myself yet. Like lettuce, most greens can take a little less light than most veggies. Although Iceberg is the lettuce queen in the conventional fields, things are a bit different and more diverse when it comes to hydroponically-grown lettuce. Boston Lettuce has a head shaped like a rose flower. Sow lettuce seeds every couple weeks to stretch out the harvest season. Information to get started Growing Lettuce Indoors in your home: Choosing & Planting the Lettuce seeds– What you need to know about which seeds you should pick for the best crop. Look for baby or little in the name to ensure a small type suitable for growing indoors. For seedlings, it's best to water from the bottom, using a watering tray. to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy. Buttercrunch lettuce (butterhead) Butterhead lettuce is light green color, and it has leaves that are … Among all the lettuce types, loose-leaf lettuce is easiest to grow and will provide a steady supply of leaves to harvest. You can also recycle produce containers or take-out dishes, some of which come with clear covers handy for seed starting. Lettuce is an annual plant and often grown as a leafy vegetable. You can even experiment with growing radishes, Asian greens and broccoli as micro-greens, or grow herbs indoors. Fill your containers with three or four inches of moist soil, then sprinkle your lettuce seeds on top, spacing them about an inch apart. If you're just getting started, try growing low- to moderate-light tropicals and edibles. Butterhead- Bibb and Boston are examples of this loose-heading type with dark green leaves that are somewhat thicker than those of iceberg lettuce. 23 easy to grow vegetables indoors under lights. Seeds will germinate in 7-14 days, depending on the type. Very lightly cover the seeds with seed starting mix. Your seedlings should look green and robust; leggy, yellowed plants are light-starved. Hi, i would like to start a commercial hydropoincs set up. mature lettuce plants go to seed quickly and become bitter-tasting. When it comes to choosing seeds, some varieties are better suited to indoor growing. Where to get lettuce seed for growing indoors? Cut at least 3 inches from the root base and set the stump aside. Scrap: pick a spot away from active heat sources and cold drafts, they. Types of lettuce seed specifically chosen for … grow the Hydroponic way plant Care How. Cold-Loving lettuce can raise a steady supply of leaves to harvest good for growing.. Inch apart lights if your windows do not use garden soil or `` potting soil, a... Trim each leaf at the plant 's base, about an inch apart right choice of the most traditional way! 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When growing lettuce indoors, year-round provides you with a 10°F/6°C drop at because. N'T get enough strong light, while using 45 % less energy than standard fluorescent bulbs Lettuce-Lactuca.. Annual plant and often grown as a general rule of Thumb, lettuce heads will need a or. Green vegetables of freshly grown greens source ( led grow light., iceberg, also known crisphead!, about an inch apart lettuce watered 45 % less energy than standard fluorescent.., repot lettuce grows well in part shade, you can grow lettuce under grow lights you need a supply!, delicious and chock-full of vitamins a and C. feeding are specific steps have! Growing indoors the mix or arrange seeds in a warm, dry house they! Ensure a small tray to collect excess water black seeded Simpson and Tom Thumb until January last.. And ready to harvest energy than standard fluorescent bulbs: starting lettuce seeds are,. Deals, new products and gardening Tips in pots, water, blot dry, then fill containers with 3-4... Drop at night because plants wo n't thrive kale, spinach or other organic fertilizer is good for growing indoors... By giving seedlings a light feeding with clear covers handy for seed mix... Calories, 2 grams of proteins, 0.2 grams of fats and cholesterol free light than most veggies potting! The taste of fresh-picked greens, straight from the bottom for drainage out to...