How to Grow Parris Island Cos
Lactuca sativa 'Parris Island Cos'
Parris Island Cos is a beloved heirloom lettuce known for its crisp, buttery leaves and classic cos shape. Gardeners prize this variety for its excellent heat tolerance and resistance to bolting, making it reliable even in warmer climates where other lettuces might fail.
📷 Wikipedia: LettuceStarting Parris Island Cos: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 4 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
You can start seeds indoors four weeks before the last frost and transplant seedlings outdoors once they are sturdy enough to handle outdoor conditions.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors or start indoors two to six weeks before your last spring frost date. Press the tiny seeds gently into the surface of the soil; do not cover them deeply as they need light to germinate. Expect sprouts in seven to twelve days under proper conditions.
Space plants eight to twelve inches apart to ensure good air circulation and head formation. While this lettuce grows low, it does not require support or trellising. Provide one to one-and-a-quarter inches of water weekly, ensuring deep watering to encourage strong roots. Apply a light layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Watch for aphids, thrips, cabbage loopers, and leaf miners; inspect leaves regularly and remove infested foliage early. Prevent downy mildew, lettuce drop, and bacterial leaf spot by avoiding overhead watering and ensuring good airflow. Harvest outer leaves when the plant is 68 to 75 days old, or wait until full heads form for a complete harvest.
When to Plant Parris Island Cos
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | June – July | August – September |
| Zone 2 | — | May – July | July – September |
| Zone 3 | — | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | — | April – June | July – October |
| Zone 5 | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | — | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | — | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | — | February – March | April – 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 Parris Island Cos
✓ Good companions
Deep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots, maximizes garden space efficiently
Repels aphids and improves lettuce flavor while providing natural pest deterrent
Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that control aphids
Natural fungicide properties help prevent damping-off and other soil-borne diseases
Repel nematodes, aphids, and other harmful insects while attracting beneficial predators
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from lettuce
Fast-growing, helps break up soil and can be harvested before lettuce needs full space
Similar growing requirements and can provide mutual shading in hot weather
✗ Keep away from
Heavy feeder that competes for nitrogen and can shade out lettuce with large leaves
Competes heavily for water and nutrients, similar root depth creates direct competition
Allelopathic compounds inhibit lettuce germination and growth, plus excessive shading
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
