How to Grow Lettuce (UK guide)
Lettuce is a staple salad crop, appreciated for its rapid growth and easy cultivation. It can be grown successfully by gardeners of all skill levels and is well suited to beds, borders, and containers alike.
How to grow lettuce
Lettuce thrives in cool, moist conditions and can be sown from early spring through late summer. It grows quickly, making it perfect for succession sowing to ensure a constant supply of fresh leaves throughout the season.
Grown Vegetables
Fast-growing and ideal for repeat harvesting, even in small spaces
How to Grow Lettuce from Seed
- 01Fill trays or pots with damp peat-free multipurpose compost.
- 02Thinly scatter lettuce seeds over the surface and cover lightly with a fine layer of compost.
- 03Keep soil moist and place in a bright, cool spot but out of direct hot sun.
- 04Once seedlings have a few leaves, thin them out or transplant to their final positions, spacing 15 cm apart.
- 05Continue watering regularly, especially in dry spells.
- 06Protect young seedlings from slugs and snails.
You will need
- 01Peat-free compost
- 02Watering can with rose
- 0315 cm minimum depth pots for containers
- 04Balanced liquid feed
Plant Calendar
Lettuce Growing Needs
Moist, well-drained soil
Lettuce prefers continuously damp, yet free-draining compost or garden soil for strong root development.
Regular watering
Consistent watering is crucial to avoid bitter leaves and prevent the plants from bolting.
Sheltered spot
Provide protection from intense midday sun to prevent heat stress which can cause wilting or bolting.
Shallow containers
If growing in pots, choose containers with sufficient width for spacing, but a minimum depth of 15 cm.
Lettuce: FAQs & Common Problems
Lettuce FAQs
Lettuce leaves can be picked as soon as they are large enough to use, usually about 6 to 8 weeks after sowing. For the best flavour and ongoing harvest, pick outer leaves regularly, ideally every few days, while allowing the centre to keep growing.
Lettuce is well suited to growing in containers. Use a pot at least 15 cm deep with drainage holes, filled with a peat-free multipurpose compost. Ensure the container is positioned where it receives good light but is not exposed to persistent strong midday sun.
Lettuce benefits from a light feeding with a balanced liquid fertiliser every couple of weeks, starting a fortnight after germination. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, as these encourage leafy growth but can make plants more prone to pests.
Keep lettuce consistently moist, as dryness will cause leaves to turn bitter and may encourage bolting. Water lightly and often, aiming for the soil to be damp but never waterlogged.
GROW: Grow your own fruit and vegetables from the earth around you.
