Lettuce Varieties – Your Guide to Growing Lettuce

Growing your own lettuce is not only rewarding as a gardener, it’s also a great way to promote a healthy diet within your household. Lettuce is one of the most common vegetables planted in home gardens, and with so many varieties of lettuce out there to choose from, there’s surely a variety of lettuce for everyone.

Each variety of lettuce has its own texture, taste and distinct look to it. It’s really your personal preference as to which variety of lettuce is best suited for your garden, so it’s best to get educated on what makes each lettuce variety unique before growing your own.

The growing process is similar for all types of lettuce, so the growing process itself shouldn’t impact the type of lettuce you choose to grow. Below is a guide to the main lettuce varieties to grow in your home vegetable garden, so you can make the best decision for your home garden.

Romaine Lettuce

Romaine lettuce, or cos lettuce, have thick ribs and long, green leaves. Romaine’s texture has a nice crunch and the lettuce itself features a sweetness that isn’t found in other varieties of lettuce. Romaine lettuce can grow up to 8-10 inches tall.

Butterhead Lettuce

Butterhead lettuce’s name comes from the subtle butter flavor it provides. It also has a soft buttery-like texture with a mild flavor. Butterhead lettuce varieties include Boston and Bibb lettuce, which are great for salads or additions to sandwiches.

Iceberg Lettuce

Iceberg lettuce, or crisphead lettuce, grows best in cooler weather. If planting iceberg lettuce at home, try to plant in the fall months instead of summer. Iceberg lettuce has a tight head, providing a very crisp texture, perfect for wedge and chopped salads. Iceberg lettuce is one of the most popular varieties of lettuce.

Loose Leaf Lettuce

Loose leaf lettuce’s name comes from it being loosely packed and joined at a stem instead of forming tight heads. Loose leaf lettuce can be all green, or green with deep red coloring at the ends. Loose leaf is one of the easiest varieties of lettuce to grow, so it’s great for beginner gardeners. The taste of loose leaf lettuce is mild, and the texture is not quite as crisp as romaine lettuce and not as smooth as butterhead lettuce.

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