Celtuce (Stem Lettuce) in Zone 9a & 9b
Lactuca sativa var. asparagina
When to plant celtuce (stem lettuce) in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 indoors | Jan 18–Jan 25 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 25–Feb 1 |
| Estimated harvest | Apr 15–Apr 22 (~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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. 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
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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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)
← Back to the full zone 9b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Celtuce (Stem Lettuce) in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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