Lettuce.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Facile

Type de plante

Annual vegetable

Lumière

Full sun to partial shade

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 2 à 4 jours

Taille adulte

12 inches

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 2 à 11

Floraison

Late spring to early summer

Entretien

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.

Arrosage

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

Engrais

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer to support quick leaf growth.

Taille

Regularly harvest outer leaves to keep the plant productive.

Rempotage

Lettuce is an annual and does not require repotting.

Sol

Well draining, rich organic soil

pH du sol

6.0 to 7.0

Température

7 à 24°C

Humidité

40 à 70%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Faible

Durée de vie

Annual, typically 3 to 5 months.

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Faible

Sécurité

Humains

None, it is a common edible vegetable.

Enfants

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

Allergènes de contact

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

Allergènes aéroportés

None.

Comestibilité

Wash leaves thoroughly to remove soil and potential pathogens.

Comment l'identifier

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

Hauteur

0,15 à 0,45m

Envergure

0,2 à 0,4m

Feuilles

green, red, purple, deciduous

Fleurs

yellow, 1 à 2cm

Problèmes courants

• 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.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed

Quand planter

early spring, late summer, early autumn

Hivernage

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 pot

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.

Bonnes associations

• 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.
• Oignon — The strong scent of onions may help deter pests from the lettuce.

Espèces similaires

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

Science

Famille

Asteraceae

Genre

Lactuca

Ordre

Asterales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Mediterranean region and parts of Western Asia.

Préservation

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.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons

Utilisations

culinary salads, garnish, sandwich greens

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

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.

D'où vient le nom

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

Bon à savoir

• 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.