Iceberg lettuce is one of the most widely used vegetables worldwide. Because it’s so popular, many new gardeners want to know how to grow lettuce in their own spaces. The secret to successful lettuce growing—including Iceberg—is to sow new seeds consistently. Planting in intervals helps you enjoy a steady harvest all summer long. Mixing different lettuce types is always smart, but for now, we’ll focus on Iceberg.
Why Grow Iceberg Lettuce?
Iceberg lettuce forms a tight, compact head, and only the outer leaves receive direct sunlight. Because of this, it’s usually paler and not as nutrient-dense as many other leafy greens. So why bother growing it? The biggest reason is its crisp bite—this is why it’s often called “crisp-head lettuce.” Its crunch adds a refreshing texture to any salad. Another strong advantage is its long shelf life. When stored correctly in the fridge, an Iceberg head can stay fresh for weeks, sometimes even close to a month. That makes it a great choice to plant later in the season if you want to keep enjoying your homegrown produce long after most people return to store-bought greens.
You can raise lettuce from seed or pick up young plants from a nursery, and it also grows well in containers if you’re short on garden space.
Planting Iceberg Lettuce Seeds
You can begin sowing Iceberg lettuce indoors anytime from January through September and move the young plants outdoors between April and October. Sprinkle about eight seeds into a small pot or seed tray, then keep them in a cool spot to encourage quicker germination. When the seedlings reach around 8–10 cm (3–4 inches), shift them to their final location in your garden bed or container. Iceberg heads need plenty of space, so leave roughly 30 cm (12 inches) between each plant and each row.
If you don’t have enough room for full heads, consider growing “cut-and-come-again” varieties or fast-growing greens like rocket, since they take up far less space.
Positioning Iceberg Lettuce
Iceberg lettuce can be a little more demanding than cut-and-come-again varieties. It tends to bolt quickly if left for too long, and it doesn’t handle strong wind, cold spells, or inconsistent watering very well. Giving it a sheltered, stable spot makes a big difference. A raised bed with protective sides or a simple cover can help reduce stress from weather changes.
Choose the type of cover based on the season. For early planting, use something that traps warmth and protects the soil from frost. During hotter months, switch to a light shade cover to reduce exposure to intense sunlight and lower the risk of bolting. This controlled environment keeps your Iceberg lettuce healthier and more consistent throughout the growing cycle.
Iceberg Lettuce Care
To care for Iceberg lettuce, provide pest protection from the start. Young Iceberg leaves are especially tempting to slugs, snails, birds, and even rabbits, so the same cover you use for shielding them from wind will help keep these pests away, too. If you notice any large outer leaves touching the soil, trim them off to discourage snails from climbing up. Setting out a simple beer trap can also help manage slug activity.
Keep the soil consistently moist, since regular watering helps the heads stay crisp and grow well. You can also use a liquid fertilizer every few months to keep the plants healthy and productive.
Harvesting Iceberg Lettuce
Iceberg lettuce usually takes between 50 and 90 days to reach maturity. When the head feels solid and tightly packed, it’s ready to be harvested. Use a sharp knife to cut the head at the base. Be sure to bring it inside immediately after cutting—leaving it in the garden while you finish other tasks will cause it to wilt, and you’ll lose the crisp texture you worked for.
Growing Lettuce from Scraps
Lettuce can regrow in water, although it won’t develop into a full head because it lacks sufficient nutrients. However, it will produce enough new leaves to enjoy as cut-and-come-again greens.
To regrow lettuce from scraps, leave at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the root end when cutting. Place the stump upright in a small glass or jar filled with water. Position it in direct sunlight on a windowsill or under a grow light. With minimal effort, you can harvest fresh lettuce leaves as needed.
