Translate this page:

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lactuca is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, beetles, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Lactuca alpina. Sonchus alpinus.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Young shoots and stems - raw[4, 105]. The skin is first removed, but the shoots are still rather bitter and unpalatable[4, K]. Older stems can also be peeled and eaten raw[105, 177, 183] but have a bitter taste[2].

References More on Edible Uses

Composition

Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.

Leaves (Fresh weight)

0 Calories per 100g
Water : 92.9%
Protein: 2.1g; Fat: 0g; Carbohydrate: 3g; Fibre: 0.5g; Ash: 1.2g;
Minerals - Calcium: 26mg; Phosphorus: 30mg; Iron: 0.7mg; Magnesium: 10mg; Sodium: 3mg; Potassium: 208mg; Zinc: 0mg;
Vitamins - A: 2200mg; Thiamine (B1): 0mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0mg; Niacin: 0.4mg; B6: 0mg; C: 15mg;
Reference: [ ]
Notes:

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

The leaves and milky sap were at one time often used in herbal medicine, though are seldom employed nowadays[4]. They are diuretic and are also applied externally to inflammations[4].

References More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.

More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist well-drained humus rich neutral to acid light sandy soil and some shade[1, 187, 200]. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[187].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed and do not let the compost dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in spring[188]. We have found it best to pot up the clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Finland, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Russian, Federation (Murmansk), Ukraine, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Lactuca biennis	Tall Blue Lettuce		0.0	-	LMH	SN	M	0	1
Lactuca canadensis	Canada Lettuce	Biennial	3.0	-	LM	SN	M	2	3
Lactuca capensis		Perennial	0.5	-	LM	SN	M	1	2
Lactuca debilis		Perennial	0.0	-	LM	SN	M	3	2
Lactuca formosana			0.0	-	LM	SN	M	1	2
Lactuca indica	Indian Lettuce	Perennial	1.2	-	LM	SN	M	3	2
Lactuca indica dracoglossa		Annual/Biennial	1.0	-	LM	SN	M	2	2
Lactuca indica laciniata		Perennial	1.2	-	LM	SN	M	3	2
Lactuca ludoviciana	Western Wild Lettuce, Biannual lettuce	Biennial	1.2	0-0	LM	SN	M	2	2
Lactuca perennis	Perennial Lettuce	Perennial	0.6	5-9	LM	N	DM	3	2
Lactuca pulchella	Blue Lettuce	Perennial	1.0	-	LM	SN	M	2	2
Lactuca quercina	Wild Lettuce	Annual/Biennial	1.0	-	LM	SN	M	2	3
Lactuca raddeana		Annual/Biennial	0.6	-	LM	SN	M	2	2
Lactuca sativa	Lettuce, Garden lettuce	Annual/Biennial	0.9	5-9	LM	SN	M	3	3	1
Lactuca sativa angustana	Celtuce	Annual/Biennial	0.6	5-9	LM	SN	M	3	3	2
Lactuca sativa capitata	Cabbage Lettuce	Annual/Biennial	0.9	5-9	LM	SN	M	3	3	2
Lactuca sativa crispa	Cutting Lettuce	Annual/Biennial	0.9	5-9	LM	SN	M	3	3	2
Lactuca sativa longifolia	Cos Lettuce	Annual/Biennial	0.9	5-9	LM	SN	M	3	3	2
Lactuca serriola	Prickly Lettuce	Biennial	1.5	6-9	LM	N	M	2	3	2
Lactuca sibirica	Prickly lettuce	Perennial	1.0	0-0	LM	SN	M	2	2
Lactuca triangulata		Biennial/Perennial	1.0	-	LM	SN	M	1	2
Lactuca virosa	Wild Lettuce, Bitter lettuce	Annual/Biennial	1.8	5-9	LM	N	M	1	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Lactuca - (L.)Waller.