Lettuce.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Annual vegetable

Luz

Full sun to partial shade

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 2 a 4 días

Tamaño adulto

12 inches

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 2 a 11

Floración

Late spring to early summer

Cuidados

Keep the soil consistently moist to prevent the leaves from turning bitter. Watch for wilting during warm afternoons, which signals the plant needs more shade or water. Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage the plant to keep producing.

Riego

Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged to ensure crisp leaves.

Abonado

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer to support quick leaf growth.

Poda

Regularly harvest outer leaves to keep the plant productive.

Trasplante

Lettuce is an annual and does not require repotting.

Suelo

Well draining, rich organic soil

pH del suelo

6.0 to 7.0

Temperatura

7 a 24°C

Humedad

40 a 70%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Baja

Longevidad

Annual, typically 3 to 5 months.

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Baja

Seguridad

Personas

None, it is a common edible vegetable.

Niños

No specific concerns, though young children should be supervised when handling garden tools.

Alérgenos por contacto

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from contact with the milky sap.

Alérgenos en el aire

None.

Comestibilidad

Wash leaves thoroughly to remove soil and potential pathogens.

Cómo identificarla

• Soft, leafy rosettes
• Varied leaf shapes and colors
• Milky sap when stems break
• Small yellow flower heads

Altura

0,15 a 0,45m

Anchura

0,2 a 0,4m

Hojas

green, red, purple, deciduous

Flores

yellow, 1 a 2cm

Problemas frecuentes

• Aphids — Small insects that cluster on the undersides of leaves and suck plant juices.
• Slugs — Gastropods that chew large, irregular holes in the foliage.
• Downy mildew — Fungal infection causing yellow spots and white fuzzy growth on leaves.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed

Cuándo plantar

early spring, late summer, early autumn

Cuidados en invierno

In mild climates, it can be grown through winter with protection. In cold areas, it is typically grown as a spring or fall crop.

En maceta

Lettuce is excellent for containers, requiring a pot at least 15 cm deep with good drainage.

Plant lettuce in the shade of taller crops like tomatoes to keep it cool during warmer months.

Buenas compañeras

• Carrot — They have different root depths and do not compete for space.
• Radish — Radishes grow quickly and can be harvested before the lettuce needs more room.
• Cebolla — The strong scent of onions may help deter pests from the lettuce.

Especies parecidas

• Endive — A similar leafy green with a slightly more bitter flavor profile.
• Rocket — Another cool season salad green with a distinct peppery taste.

Ciencia

Familia

Asteraceae

Género

Lactuca

Orden

Asterales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Mediterranean region and parts of Western Asia.

Conservación

Not of conservation concern as it is a widely grown agricultural crop.

It grows as a cool season annual, quickly completing its life cycle before the heat of summer.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas

Usos

culinary salads, garnish, sandwich greens

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Why is my lettuce bitter?

High temperatures and long days cause the plant to bolt, which releases a milky sap that tastes bitter.

Can I grow lettuce in a pot?

Yes, lettuce has shallow roots and thrives in containers at least 15 cm deep.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Lactuca comes from the Latin word for milk, referring to the milky sap, while sativa means cultivated.

Bueno saberlo

• Lettuce is a member of the daisy family.
• The plant will bolt and turn bitter when temperatures rise too high.
• Most lettuce varieties are annuals.
• It is primarily composed of water.