Lettuce Iceberg Seeds

About Lettuce Iceberg Seeds

Iceberg lettuce — a salad crop that forms a crisp, crunchy head; loves the cool winter season.

• Botanical name: Lactuca sativa
• Care level: Moderate
• Expected germination time: 5-10 days at 15-20C under suitable conditions*

How to Grow

1. Fill a seedling tray or small pot with a fine, clean, well-draining seed-starting mix.
2. Sow at the right depth — 0.5 cm — press the seed in lightly, do not sow deep.
3. Water gently with a spray bottle so the seeds are not displaced. Keep the medium moist, not waterlogged.
4. Place the tray where it gets the right light for this plant (partial sun). Protect young seedlings from harsh afternoon sun.
5. Under suitable conditions, sprouts usually appear in 5-10 days at 15-20C.

Light, water, soil and feeding

• Light: Partial sun
• Water: Keep the soil always lightly moist — lettuce does not tolerate drought at all. Light watering daily.
• Soil: Loose, moisture-retentive soil with compost; pH 6.0-7.0
• Temperature: 12–22°C. Above 25°C it turns bitter and bolts.
• Fertiliser: A light nitrogen feed every 15 days — it is a leaf crop.

Sowing season in India

October–January in North India. Never in summer — it will bolt. Exact timing depends on your local temperature and conditions.

Common problems

Bolting and bitterness in heat. Aphids under the leaves. Rot from overwatering.

*Germination time is an expected range under suitable temperature, moisture, sowing depth and storage conditions. Natural germination cannot be guaranteed.