Lettuce
45-50days to harvest
7-10days to germinate
Z2–11USDA zones
Easydifficulty
HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest. Can be grown spring through fall in most climates.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
Water
1 inch per week, consistent moisture
Soil
Well-drained, fertile soil with good organic matter
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Spacing
8-10 inches
Height
6-12 inches
Season
Cool season

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Medium to dark green, some varieties have red-tinged edges
Size
Individual leaves 4-6 inches long, plants 8-10 inches across
Shape
Deeply lobed, oak leaf-shaped leaves in loose rosette
Flavour
Mild, buttery, and sweet with no bitterness even in heat

In the kitchen

Gourmet salads, garnish, sandwiches. Excellent for mesclun mixes.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Aphids, slugs, snails, leaf miners
Diseases
Downy mildew, lettuce drop, white rust
Resistance
Good heat tolerance, resistant to bolting, moderate disease resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
1——June – JulyJuly – September
2——May – JulyJuly – September
3——May – JuneJune – October
4——April – JuneJune – October
5——April – MayJune – November
6——April – MayMay – November
7——March – MayMay – November
8——March – AprilApril – December
9——February – MarchMarch – December
10——January – MarchMarch – December
11——January – FebruaryFebruary – December
12——January – FebruaryFebruary – December
13——January – FebruaryFebruary – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

ChivesRepels aphids and other soft-bodied insects that commonly attack lettuce
MarigoldsDeters nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial predatory insects
CarrotsDeep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots and help break up soil
RadishesQuick-growing companion that helps break up soil and deters flea beetles
NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from lettuce
GarlicNatural fungicide properties help prevent lettuce diseases like downy mildew
SpinachSimilar growing requirements and can be succession planted together
DillAttracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps that control aphids

Avoid

BroccoliHeavy feeder that competes for nutrients and can shade out lettuce
FennelReleases allelopathic compounds that inhibit lettuce germination and growth
SunflowersAllelopathic effects and excessive shading can stunt lettuce growth

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

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the lettuce growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

DarkGrow forum

Grown Oak Leaf?

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 Oak Leaf suits these too.

Browse all 110 lettuce