Photo: Saryu Mae 前 朝琉CC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Lettuce Plant Care
Lactuca raddeana Maxim.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lactuca raddeana, also known as Radde's lettuce, is a striking plant with deeply lobed, dark green leaves that have a slightly purple hue underneath. This plant is native to the mountainous regions of Central Asia and is prized for its unique foliage among plant enthusiasts.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Lettuce?
Water Lettuce every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
What Is the Lettuce?
Lettuce (Lactuca raddeana) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Lactuca genus. Lettuce is native to Vietnam, eastern China, the Korean peninsula, the Russian Far East, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, and Japan.
Lettuce displays a compact rosette growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Lettuce produces small yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Lettuce?
Lactuca raddeana requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Lettuce Need?
Lettuce thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lettuce Prefer?
Lactuca raddeana grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Lettuce prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lettuce?
Well-draining, fertile loam with added compost. Good drainage is essential for Lettuce to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Lettuce?
Feed Lettuce every 2 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Lettuce?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Lettuce?
Lettuce can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine lettuce plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Lettuce Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Lettuce, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Lettuce?
Lettuce is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Lettuce Need?
Lettuce grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Lettuce is native to Vietnam, eastern China, the Korean peninsula, the Russian Far East, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, and Japan.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Lettuce is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Lactuca genus — compare its care with other Lactuca species on PlantoScan.
Lactuca is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Lettuce thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Lactuca Species
Other Lactuca species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lactuca raddeana Maxim., family Asteraceae (first published in Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg xix. (1874) 526.) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Lettuce, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Saryu Mae 前 朝琉, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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