The best temperature for a lettuce is 16-20 degrees, but even at a little over 24 degrees the quality of the lettuce begins to deteriorate and the seeds will not germinate. So keep the lettuce away from radiators and other heat sources, because a lettuce that grows too hot will be dry and will start to taste bitter.
Can lettuce be grown indoors year round?
Grow a salad on a sunny windowsill or under grow lights
However, salad lovers can grow lettuce indoors, all winter long. Depending upon available sunlight, even urban gardeners can raise a steady supply of your favorite greens on a windowsill or beneath grow lights.
What temp is too cold for lettuce?
Lettuce may cope with light freezing and even one or two hard freezes, but once the thermometer reads 25°F or below, the plants are in danger. That level of cold causes ice to form in the plant tissue, regardless of the amount of moisture in the air.
What temperature does lettuce like to grow in?
60 to 65°F.
Lettuce is adapted to cool growing conditions with the optimum temperatures for growth of 60 to 65°F. At 70 to 80°F, the plants flower and produce seed. Lettuce can tolerate a few days of temperatures from 80 to 85°F, provided that nights are cool.
When should I start lettuce indoors?
(Garden soil is heavier than potting soil, and will not drain adequately in a pot.) For a jumpstart on the spring garden, start lettuce seeds indoors 3 to 4 weeks before your area’s last hard frost — which is around 28 degrees overnight.
What is the best lettuce to grow indoors?
Suggested Lettuces for Indoors
- Merlot.
- Baby Oakleaf.
- Lollo Rosa.
- Tom Thumb.
- Garden Babies.
- Red Deer Tongue.
- Black-Seeded Simpson.
- Salad Bowl.
Can you grow lettuce indoors without a grow light?
Provide at least 6 hours of Sunlight a Day
Lettuce plants need at least six hours of full sun a day. Some varieties are better suited for shade and can tolerate partial shade. The best types for growing indoors without additional artificial light are those that mature quickly and do not produce a long stalk.
How do you grow lettuce indoors in the winter?
Bright grow lights or bright daylight window
If your natural light is dim in winter, provide supplemental lighting for baby greens. The full spectrum grow light should be placed about 4″ above the top of the leaves. I use lights to grow lettuce indoors in January, when the natural light is lacking.
Is 40 degrees too cold for lettuce?
How to Grow: Lettuce is a cool-weather crop that thrives in the temperature range 60-65 degrees F, and if thoroughly hardened, most varieties survive temperatures as low as 20 degrees F. Cold-adapted varieties survive much lower temperatures. Seed germinates best at about 75 degrees F.
Can I grow lettuce in the winter?
Growing lettuce in winter is easier than you think! The key is to select frost-tolerant varieties and pair them with a season extender like a cold frame, mini hoop tunnel, or polytunnel.
How often should lettuce be watered?
Lettuce has shallow roots, so plants need consistent watering. Check at least twice a week and water if the soil is dry down to 1 inch deep. Containers of lettuce need to be watered more frequently than garden beds, especially in the summer.
Does lettuce need direct sunlight?
How much sun does lettuce need to grow? Most lettuce varieties enjoy full sunlight. For the best turnout, make sure you plant your lettuce in an area that receives approximately 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Some varieties can also be grown in partial shade, receiving 4 to 6 hours a day.
How do you make lettuce grow bigger?
Lettuce grows best in loose, cool soil with good drainage. The addition of organic materials, such as compost or manure, will increase drainage, provide essential nutrients and improve your lettuce growing conditions. If you’ve had trouble with lettuce growth, consider purchasing a soil test kit.
Can lettuce grow under 24 hour light?
For best results, place the planters under a light for 24 hours a day. You can also cover your pot with a clear plastic bag and place it in a south-facing window. Check the soil moisture daily and water as needed. Depending on the type of lettuce planted, seeds will begin to sprout in 7 to 14 days.
Can you grow lettuce on a windowsill?
So which varieties do best on a windowsill? A loose leaf lettuce like Cos or Baby Cos grows well, and is easy to pick as the leaves develop. Plant enough to cater for the family over Winter and into Spring, and you could even stagger the planting to keep you going a bit longer.
How many hours of light does lettuce need?
How much light does Lettuce need per day: Indirect vs. Direct light. As shown in the table, most leafy greens grow well with at least 5 hours of direct light per day. This means 5+ hours of sunlight hitting the plant leaves is recommended for growing lettuce and other leafy greens.
Will lettuce regrow after cutting?
Head lettuce will die back, but most leaf-lettuce plants renew efforts to produce leaves, if regularly watered after trimming. Results will often be smaller than the original plant, but you may be able to harvest a second, good-tasting crop within as little as two weeks.
How do you start growing lettuce indoors?
How to Grow Lettuce Indoors for Fresh Salad Greens Year Round
- Seed starting or potting mix.
- Shallow pots, flats, or seed starting containers.
- Lettuce seeds.
- Fluorescent or LED light fixture with bulbs (optional)
- Watering can or unperforated flat.
- Humidity tray (optional)
- See full list «
- High-nitrogen plant food.
How do you start lettuce indoors?
How to Grow Lettuce Indoors
- Give it a home. Plastic pots are light and versatile, while clay pots have that funky DIY aesthetic.
- Get dirty. Lettuce is an easy-going, low maintenance vegetable to plant.
- Spread those lettuce seeds. Sprinkle the seeds over the soil.
- Proceed with TLC.
- Grow lettuce in your very own kitchen.
Can you grow salad indoors in winter?
You don’t need to have a greenhouse or even a propagator to grow your own salad leaves. You can sow salad leaves indoors on a sunny windowsill. These tips will help you grow tasty salad from the comfort of your own home.
Can I use shop lights as grow lights?
An adjustable chain or some other system works fine. This combination of long periods of light and high intensity allows basic shop lights to serve as grow lights. There are more expensive grow light fixtures and bulbs on the market, but they provide little added benefit.