Lactuca sativa 'Lollo Rossa - Assor'

RHS Plant Profile
lettuce (leafy) 'Lollo Rossa - Assor'

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Lactuca sativa 'Lollo Rossa - Assor'?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants

Other common names

lettuce 'Assor'

Synonyms

Lactuca sativa 'Assor'

Annual Biennial

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Lactuca can be annuals, biennials, perennials or shrubs, with alternate leaves, milky white sap and daisy-like flowers in white, yellow or blue. The genus includes a wide range of wild plants, as well as species cultivated for their edible leaves (lettuce)
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thin seedlings as soon as the first true leaves appear and continue until the plants are 30cm (1ft) apart. The seedlings you thin out can be added to salads. Water when the soil is dry, ideally early in the morning. You can harvest lettuces from late spring through to winter, if sown regularly using suitable seasonal varieties. See lettuce cultivation for more information.

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Grow in full sun on moisture-retentive soil. Sow a short row every fortnight to ensure continuity of cropping. Use cloches, plastic tunnels or horticultural fleece to protect early and late crops. When sowing in summer, bear in mind that high soil temperatures can prevent some cultivars from germinating. So in hot spells, sow in the evening, water with cold water and provide some shade to keep temperatures down. You can also grow lettuces in containers and growing bags, but be sure to water regularly. See lettuce cultivation for more information.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to birds, slugs, snails and lettuce root aphid.

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds and lettuce downy mildew. Lettuce mosaic virus can affect overwintering crops