Photo: Yan WongCC BY 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Slender Lettuce Plant Care
Lactuca tenerrima A.Chev.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lactuca tenerrima, also known as the tender lettuce, is a unique plant with deeply lobed leaves that are a vibrant shade of green. Its delicate appearance and graceful growth habit make it a standout choice for plant enthusiasts looking to add a touch of elegance to their indoor spaces.
Every 5–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Slender Lettuce?
Water Slender Lettuce every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–75°F (18–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
What Is the Slender Lettuce?
Slender Lettuce (Lactuca tenerrima) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Lactuca genus. Slender Lettuce is native to southern France, Spain, the Balearic Islands, and the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Slender Lettuce is also known as Tenerrima Lettuce, Cicerbita tenerrima, Lactuca segusiana.
Slender Lettuce displays a compact rosette growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Slender Lettuce produces small yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Slender Lettuce?
Lactuca tenerrima requires watering every 5–7 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 5–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Slender Lettuce Need?
Slender Lettuce thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Slender Lettuce Prefer?
Lactuca tenerrima grows best at temperatures of 65–75°F. Slender Lettuce prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Slender Lettuce?
Well-draining, fertile loam with added compost. Good drainage is essential for Slender Lettuce to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Slender Lettuce?
Feed Slender 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 Slender 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 Slender Lettuce?
Slender Lettuce can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine lettuce plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Slender Lettuce Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Slender 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 Slender Lettuce?
Slender 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 Slender Lettuce Need?
Slender Lettuce grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Slender Lettuce is native to southern France, Spain, the Balearic Islands, and the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Slender 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.
Slender 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 tenerrima A.Chev., family Asteraceae (first published in Exploration Botanique de l'Afrique Occidentale Francaise ... 379 1920) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Slender 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: Yan Wong, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, 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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