🥬When to Plant Lettuce (2026)
Cool-season green that can go out weeks before the last frost.
- Type: Cool-season
- Method: Direct sow or transplant
- Days to harvest: 45
- Spacing: 8" apart
- Sun: Full sun to part shade
- Companions: carrot, radish, cucumber
Is Lettuce right for your USDA zone?
Lettuce is a cool-season crop, which means it thrives in the mild temperatures of spring and fall. Gardeners in zones 3a through 7b get the longest lettuce season — you can plant in early spring and again in late summer for a fall harvest. In warmer zones (8a-10b), grow lettuce as a winter crop from October through February when temperatures are coolest.
Lettuce needs about 45 days from sowing to harvest, so any zone with at least 59frost-free days can grow it successfully. Check your zone's specific dates in the table below.
How to grow lettuce
Start lettuce seeds indoors about 4 weeks before your last spring frost, then harden off and transplant the seedlings once frost danger has passed. Give each plant 8 inches of room in full sun to part shade, and keep the soil consistently moist while seeds germinate and plants establish.
Expect roughly 45 days to your first harvest. Watch for slugs, aphids, the most common pests of lettuce, and scout plants weekly so you can act early. Use cut-and-come-again harvesting—pick outer leaves when 3-4 inches long and the center keeps producing for weeks. For full heads, harvest in the morning when leaves are crispest.
Troubleshooting lettuce
Bolting (sending up a flower stalk) happens when soil temperatures exceed 70°F. Leaves turn bitter once bolting starts. Plant in afternoon shade and choose slow-bolt varieties like 'Buttercrunch' for summer.
Growing lettuce in containers
Ideal for shallow containers—roots only go 4-6 inches deep. Window boxes, salad trays, even repurposed gutters work perfectly. One 12-inch pot yields salad for two people.
Lettuce planting dates by zone (2026)
| Zone | Start Indoors | Sow / Transplant | Harvest From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | Apr 17 | Apr 24 | Jun 8 |
| Zone 3b | Apr 17 | Apr 24 | Jun 8 |
| Zone 4a | Apr 12 | Apr 19 | Jun 3 |
| Zone 4b | Apr 7 | Apr 14 | May 29 |
| Zone 5a | Apr 2 | Apr 9 | May 24 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 28 | Apr 4 | May 19 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 23 | Mar 30 | May 14 |
| Zone 6b | Mar 18 | Mar 25 | May 9 |
| Zone 7a | Mar 13 | Mar 20 | May 4 |
| Zone 7b | Mar 8 | Mar 15 | Apr 29 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 25 | Mar 4 | Apr 18 |
| Zone 8b | Feb 15 | Feb 22 | Apr 8 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 28 | Feb 4 | Mar 21 |
| Zone 9b | Jan 13 | Jan 20 | Mar 6 |
| Zone 10a | Jan 3 | Jan 10 | Feb 24 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 18 | Dec 25 | Feb 8 |
Lettuce planting FAQ
When is the best time to plant lettuce?
Lettuce is a cool-season crop. Plant it in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, and again in late summer for a fall harvest. It tolerates light frost. Find the exact date for your USDA zone in the table below.
How long does lettuce take to grow?
Lettuce takes about 45 days from sowing to first harvest. Starting seeds indoors 4 weeks before your last frost gives the plants a head start.
How far apart should I space lettuce?
Space lettuce about 8 inches apart in full sun to part shade. Proper spacing gives roots room to spread and improves airflow, which reduces disease.
What is the best growing tip for lettuce?
Use cut-and-come-again harvesting—pick outer leaves when 3-4 inches long and the center keeps producing for weeks. For full heads, harvest in the morning when leaves are crispest.
What are common problems with lettuce?
Bolting (sending up a flower stalk) happens when soil temperatures exceed 70°F. Leaves turn bitter once bolting starts. Plant in afternoon shade and choose slow-bolt varieties like 'Buttercrunch' for summer.
Can I grow lettuce in a container?
Ideal for shallow containers—roots only go 4-6 inches deep. Window boxes, salad trays, even repurposed gutters work perfectly. One 12-inch pot yields salad for two people.
Can I plant lettuce for a second harvest?
Absolutely—succession sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest. In zones 5+, sow spring crops until late May, then resume in late August for fall. Lettuce germinates poorly above 80°F soil.
What grows well with lettuce?
Good companion plants for lettuce are carrot, radish, cucumber. Companion planting can deter pests and make better use of garden space. Rotate where you plant lettuce each year to keep soil healthy.