Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

Naturalised

A fast-growing leafy annual, forming either loose leaves or a compact head depending on the type.

The plant

Habit Vegetables

Origin Naturalised

Flowering Monsoon, Winter

Edible Yes

Growing it

Sun Part shade

Water Steady moisture

Drainage Needs to drain well

Started from Seed

Life it supports

Flowers attract pollinators after bolting; leaves support herbivorous insects.

How to grow it

Sow shallowly, about 0.5-1cm deep, in a moisture-retentive soil mix.
In Ahmedabad, grow mainly October-February, giving morning sun with afternoon shade as temperatures rise.
Thin seedlings to about 15-20cm apart depending on the type.
Keep evenly moist, and harvest outer leaves or the whole head before the plant bolts (starts to flower).

The story

More common in salads and modern urban food culture, and increasingly grown in Indian kitchen gardens.

What it is used for

These uses are documented for information only and are not medical advice. Always verify the species and the plant part before use.

Where it is found

Cultivated in India, particularly in cooler regions and protected or urban growing systems.

Sources