Lettuce Seeds

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow from seed, and starting your own gives you far more varieties to choose from than nursery transplants. Our lettuce seeds are best sown in seedling trays to transplant in early spring or fall for full-size heads. Learn more in our How to Grow Lettuce guide..

Cool-Season vs. Heat-Tolerant Lettuce

All lettuce grows the same basic way, but varieties differ in how they handle heat.

Romaine and other cool-season lettuce forms crisp, upright heads and grows best at 60–80°F. Most lettuce seeds can’t germinate well in high temperatures, so sow them in spring and fall. These lettuces are hardy to light frost.

Batavian lettuce is the exception. Batavian-type varieties can germinate in warmer weather, which makes them a good choice for late spring and summer sowings.

Lettuce Seed Shipping Information

We ship lettuce seeds with USPS Ground Advantage.

Growing tips: Sow lettuce seeds 1/8″ deep in a seedling tray filled with seed-starting soil, and keep the soil moist. Seeds sprout in 7–10 days. Transplant seedlings outdoors in early spring or fall, in a spot that gets 6–8 hours of sun, into loose, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Space plants 8″ apart. Lettuce grows best at 60–80°F and is hardy to light frost. Water regularly at the base of the plants, and mulch to keep the soil cool and moist. For successive harvests, keep sowing every two weeks. Most lettuce seeds, except Batavian-type varieties, can’t germinate well in high temperatures.