Red Curly Lettuce

100 Seeds

Red Curly Lettuce is a cool-season leafy vegetable prized for its deep red to burgundy curly leaves, crisp texture, and mild, slightly sweet flavor. It is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, folate, iron, antioxidants (especially anthocyanins), and dietary fiber. It is perfect for salads, sandwiches, wraps, garnishes, and gourmet dishes. Red Curly Lettuce grows exceptionally well in the Gulf region during the cooler months and is ideal for hydroponic systems, raised beds, containers, and home gardens.

Best Planting Time

• September to February (recommended)
• Best results from October to January
• Avoid outdoor planting during the hot summer months.

Seed Preparation

• No soaking or cold stratification is required.
• Optional: Soak seeds in cool water for 2–4 hours before sowing to speed up germination.

Soil Preparation

Use loose, fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Recommended mix:

• 40% Coco peat
• 30% Compost
• 20% Garden soil
• 10% Perlite

Ideal soil pH:

• 6.0–7.0

Sowing Method

• Sow seeds directly into beds or in seed trays.
• Plant seeds 0.3–0.5 cm deep.
• Cover lightly with fine soil or vermiculite.
• Keep the soil consistently moist until germination.
• Avoid burying seeds too deeply, as lettuce seeds germinate best with some light.

Temperature & Light

• Ideal germination temperature: 15–22°C
• Ideal growing temperature: 15–24°C
• Requires 4–6 hours of morning sunlight or bright indirect light.
• Provide 30–40% shade if daytime temperatures exceed 28°C.

Watering

• Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing period.
• Water when the top 1–2 cm of soil begins to dry.
• Avoid allowing the soil to dry completely, as this may cause bitter leaves and early bolting.

Germination Time

• 5–10 days

Transplanting

• Transplant seedlings when they have:
  • 3–4 true leaves
  • Height of 8–10 cm
• Space plants:
  • 25–30 cm apart
• Space rows:
  • 30–40 cm apart

Harvesting

• Baby leaves can be harvested after:
  • 25–30 days
• Mature heads are ready after:
  • 45–60 days
• Harvest outer leaves continuously or cut the entire head at the base.

Hydroponic Growing

• Excellent for NFT, DWC, Kratky, and vertical hydroponic systems.
• Maintain nutrient solution:
  • pH: 5.8–6.5
  • EC: 0.8–1.4 mS/cm

Gulf Climate Tips

• Grow only during the cooler season.
• Use 30–50% shade cloth if temperatures increase unexpectedly.
• Apply organic mulch to keep roots cool and reduce moisture loss.
• Feed every 2 weeks with a nitrogen-rich balanced fertilizer.
• Harvest regularly to encourage fresh leaf production.
• Red Curly Lettuce performs exceptionally well in hydroponic systems, containers, raised beds, and home gardens throughout the Gulf.