Lolla Rossa
Lolla Rossa: 50-55 days to harvest, 7-10 days to germinate, 8-10 inches between plants, pH 6.0-7.0, hardy in zones 2-11. Fruit runs to about 6-8 inches wide, individual leaves 4-6 inches. Give it full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours) and 1 inch per week, consistent moisture water. It will crop in a container.
Sowing
Direct seed in early spring 2-4 weeks before last frost. Succession plant every 2-3 weeks. Can also start indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting.
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
- Water
- 1 inch per week, consistent moisture
- Soil
- Rich, well-drained loam with good organic matter
- Soil pH
- 6.0-7.0
- Spacing
- 8-10 inches
- Height
- 6-12 inches
- Season
- Cool season, heat tolerant
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Deep burgundy-red edges with bright green centers
- Size
- 6-8 inches wide, individual leaves 4-6 inches
- Shape
- Loose rosette with deeply frilled, ruffled leaves
- Flavour
- Mild, sweet, and tender with a pleasant crisp texture
In the kitchen
Gourmet salads, garnish, microgreens, baby leaf mixes, edible landscaping
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Aphids, slugs, flea beetles, cutworms
- Diseases
- Downy mildew, lettuce mosaic virus, bottom rot
- Resistance
- Good resistance to bolting and tip burn
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | June – July | July – September |
| 2 | — | — | May – July | July – September |
| 3 | — | — | May – June | June – October |
| 4 | — | — | April – June | June – October |
| 5 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| 6 | — | — | April – May | May – November |
| 7 | — | — | March – May | May – November |
| 8 | — | — | March – April | April – December |
| 9 | — | — | February – March | March – December |
| 10 | — | — | January – March | March – December |
| 11 | — | — | January – February | February – December |
| 12 | — | — | January – February | February – December |
| 13 | — | — | January – February | February – December |
Companion planting
8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.
Avoid
Nutrition (per 100 g)
- Protein (g)
- 0.742
- Fat (g)
- 0.0738
- Carbohydrate (g)
- 3.37
- Vitamin K (µg)
- 20.5
- Vitamin B6 (mg)
- 0.0401
- Calcium (mg)
- 14.2
- Iron (mg)
- 0.0332
- Magnesium (mg)
- 6.31
- Phosphorus (mg)
- 19.2
- Potassium (mg)
- 139
- Zinc (mg)
- 0.173
Where to buy seed and equipment
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Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.
Grown Lolla Rossa?
Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.
Similar varieties
Other lettuce with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Lolla Rossa suits these too.
- Red Salad Bowl 50 days
- Upland Cress 50 days
- Lollo Rosso 50 days
- Giorgione 50 days
- Red Leaf Lettuce 50 days
- Mascara 50 days