Organic Red Oakleaf Lettuce

Organic Red Oakleaf lettuce start

Red Oakleaf lettuce is a certified-organic, live potted transplant with deeply lobed burgundy-red leaves arranged in a loose rosette. The tender foliage has a mild flavor and makes a colorful addition to salads, sandwiches, wraps, and mixed baby-leaf harvests. Because it is a loose-leaf type, gardeners can harvest outer leaves over time or cut the full plant at maturity.

• Plant form: Live potted vegetable start in an approximately 2.75-inch pot
• Organic status: Certified organic by CCOF
• Crop type: Open-pollinated, cool-season annual lettuce
• Catalog zones: 4–10; planting date matters more than winter hardiness
• Estimated maturity: Approximately 50–60 days under suitable conditions
• Light: Full sun in cool weather; afternoon shade can slow heat stress
• Pollination: Not relevant when grown for leaves

Transplanting and harvest

Harden the plant before moving it from protected conditions to the garden. Set the root ball level with the soil surface in a fertile, well-drained bed or container. Keep moisture consistent because shallow lettuce roots dry quickly, but avoid leaving the crown saturated. Mulch lightly to moderate soil temperature and reduce soil splash.

For a cut-and-come-again harvest, remove clean outer leaves while protecting the center. For a full rosette, cut near the base when the plant reaches the desired size. Harvest during the cooler part of the day and cool leaves promptly. Warm weather can accelerate bolting and bitterness, so time plantings for mild conditions. Growth rate and color vary with temperature, light, water, and care.

Review the lettuce and greens guide, or browse other vegetable and herb plants.