Celtuce (Stem Lettuce) in Zone 8a & 8b

Lactuca sativa var. asparagina

When to plant celtuce (stem lettuce) in zone 8b

Zones 8a and 8b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.

Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Celtuce (Stem Lettuce) tolerates either.

Start indoorsFeb 25–Mar 4
Direct sow / transplant outsideMar 4–Mar 11
Estimated harvestMay 23–May 30 (~80 days after planting)

Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.

Celtuce, also called stem lettuce, is a lettuce relative grown for a thick, crisp central stem instead of its leaves, a texture somewhere between celery and lettuce hearts once peeled.

How celtuce (stem lettuce) fits zone 8's season

Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Celtuce (Stem Lettuce) needs about 80 days from sowing to first harvest.

Good companions

No standout companions recorded yet for Celtuce (Stem Lettuce).

Where to buy celtuce seeds

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See it growing

Search YouTube for "growing celtuce (stem lettuce)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)

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Growing Celtuce (Stem Lettuce) in USDA zone 8b

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Growing Celtuce (Stem Lettuce) in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.

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