Lactuca sativa 'Red Little Gem'

RHS Plant Profile
lettuce 'Red Little Gem'

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So called sister to Little Gem, this Cos type lettuce produces attractive leaves that are pale green flushed dark red/burgundy. The leaves are crisp and sweet and chefs favour it grilled or braised. As well as tasting great, gardeners appreciate its resistance to bolting in hotter weather and its compact size which is great for containers and small spaces. Sow March to July, harvest May to October.

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

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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

Grow in full sun in moisture-retentive soil. Soil should be reasonably fertile so you can improve soil by adding organic matter, such as well-rotted manure, in the autumn. Lettuces grow best on soil that is close to neutral so if you have very acidic or alkaline soil you may want to consider raised beds, containers or improving the pH of your soil. Water when the soil is dry, ideally early in the morning. Harvest from May until October. See lettuce cultivation for more information.

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

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.