Lettuce Planting Guide — All Zones
Lactuca sativa
Last updated: Apr 25, 2026Quick Facts
Sunlight
⛅ Partial Sun
Water Needs
💧💧 Moderate
Spacing
12 inches apart
Planting Depth
0.125 inch
Min Soil Temp
40°F
Germination
2–10 days
Days to Maturity
30–60 days
Frost Tolerance
Light frost tolerance
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Schedule by Zone
Select your USDA zone below for a detailed guide with tips specific to your region.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest Start | Harvest End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Apr 17 | May 15 | May 15 | Jun 20 | Aug 19 |
| Zone 4 | Apr 12 | May 10 | May 10 | Jun 15 | Aug 14 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 2 | Apr 30 | Apr 30 | Jun 5 | Aug 4 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 18 | Apr 15 | Apr 15 | May 21 | Jul 20 |
| Zone 7 | Mar 8 | Apr 5 | Apr 5 | May 11 | Jul 10 |
| Zone 8 | Feb 20 | Mar 20 | Mar 20 | Apr 25 | Jun 24 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 31 | Feb 28 | Feb 28 | Apr 5 | Jun 4 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 13 | Feb 10 | Feb 10 | Mar 18 | May 17 |
| Zone 11 | Jan 1 | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Feb 20 | Apr 21 |
| Zone 12 | — | any | any | year_round | year_round |
| Zone 13 | — | any | any | year_round | year_round |
Recommended for Your Zone
🌱 Lettuce Seeds & Supplies
Find seeds, soil, and tools suited for growing lettuce in your zone.
Shop on Amazon →Companion Planting
Companion planting improves growth, deters pests, and makes better use of garden space.
✓ Good Companions
✗ Avoid Nearby
Celery
📚 Data Sources
Frost dates: NOAA Climate Normals 1991–2020, National Centers for Environmental Information.Hardiness zones: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Agricultural Research Service.
Growing requirements: Cooperative Extension Services — NC State, Penn State, University of Florida IFAS.
Companion planting: Cornell University Cooperative Extension.
Data compiled from public agricultural sources. Always verify with your local extension office for micro-climate adjustments.