How to Grow Lollo Rosso
Lactuca sativa 'Lollo Rosso'
Lollo Rosso is a vibrant, red-leafed variety of lettuce prized for its crisp texture and sweet flavor. Gardeners grow this cool-season crop to add colorful crunch to salads or as a fresh green side dish throughout spring and fall.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Lollo Rosso: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 4 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
While direct sowing is preferred, if starting indoors, move sturdy seedlings outdoors after they have hardened off and the frost danger has completely passed.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Sow seeds directly outdoors two to six weeks before your last expected frost date, as this lettuce tolerates light cold. Press seeds lightly into the soil at a depth of about 1/4 inch. Expect germination in seven to ten days under cool conditions.
Space plants six to eight inches apart to ensure proper air circulation and head formation. Water consistently to provide one inch per week, keeping the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Apply a light layer of organic mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds without touching the leaves.
Watch for aphids, slugs, snails, and cabbage loopers; use hand-picking or barriers like copper tape to manage them. Prevent downy mildew, lettuce drop, and tipburn by ensuring good airflow and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest outer leaves when the plant is 50 to 65 days old for a continuous supply of fresh greens.
When to Plant Lollo Rosso
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | June – July | July – September |
| Zone 2 | — | May – July | July – September |
| Zone 3 | — | May – June | June – October |
| Zone 4 | — | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | — | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 7 | — | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | — | March – April | April – December |
| Zone 9 | — | February – March | March – December |
| Zone 10 | — | January – March | March – December |
| Zone 11 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 12 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 13 | — | January – February | February – December |
Companion Plants for Lollo Rosso
✓ Good companions
Different root depths prevent competition, carrots help loosen soil for lettuce
Repels aphids and improves lettuce flavor while taking up minimal space
Attracts beneficial insects that prey on lettuce pests like aphids
Natural fungicide properties help prevent lettuce diseases like downy mildew
Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes that commonly attack lettuce
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from lettuce
Attracts beneficial insects and has similar water and nutrient requirements
Quick-growing radishes break up soil and can be harvested before lettuce needs space
Similar growing requirements and can provide mutual shade in hot weather
✗ Keep away from
Heavy feeder that competes for nutrients and can shade out lettuce
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit lettuce growth and germination
Allelopathic effects inhibit lettuce growth and tall plants create too much shade
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
