Photo: Johann Georg Sturm (Painter: Jacob Sturm )Public domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Willow lettuce Plant Care
Lactuca saligna L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lactuca saligna is a species of wild lettuce known by the common name willowleaf lettuce, and least lettuce. It is native to Eurasia but it grows in many other places as an introduced species, including much of North America.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Willow lettuce?
Willow lettuce grows best in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the Willow lettuce?
Willow lettuce (Lactuca saligna) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Lactuca genus. Willow lettuce is native to Eurasia. Willow lettuce is also known as Chondrilla crepoides, Hieracium salignum, Lactuca adulteriana.
Willow lettuce displays a compact rosette growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Willow lettuce produces small yellow flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the Willow lettuce Need?
Willow lettuce thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Willow lettuce?
Well-draining, fertile loam with added compost. Good drainage is essential for Willow lettuce to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Willow 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 Willow lettuce?
Willow lettuce can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine lettuce plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Willow lettuce Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Willow 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 Willow lettuce?
Willow 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.
Keep exploring plants
Willow 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.
Willow 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 saligna L., family Asteraceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 796 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Willow 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: Johann Georg Sturm (Painter: Jacob Sturm ), Public domain, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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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