Cervina RZ

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Cervina RZ unfolds into crisp, upright mini romaine hearts with a cool, fresh crunch and a gently sweet, leafy flavor.

The leaves form a tight, columnar silhouette—deep green on the outside with a tender, paler center—so each harvest delivers satisfying texture for fresh use and quick tosses, as well as sturdy leaves that shine in salads and wraps. At about 55 days, this dependable variety rewards home gardeners with uniform heads and a clean, garden-fresh bite.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Cervina RZ is built for clean, cold crunch: its upright mini romaine hearts keep their bite and sweetness even when dressed lightly or folded into wraps. Use it as the structural leaf—so every forkful stays crisp rather than turning watery.

Best Uses

icebox-crisp salads where the leaf holds dressing without going limp
mini romaine wraps—folding into handhelds that stay crunchy
quick tosses with vinaigrette and warm proteins
shredded for a tight texture in grain bowls

Flavor Profile

cool, fresh crunch gently sweet leafy flavor tender pale-center bite clean, lightly green finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon extra-virgin olive oil Parmigiano-Reggiano garlic grilled chicken anchovy

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Lactuca sativa (leaf lettuce), and how can I control it?

Leaf lettuce commonly suffers from downy mildew (often shows as yellow patches on top with fuzzy growth underneath) and from aphids that cluster on tender new leaves. Remove the most infected leaves immediately and increase airflow by spacing plants so leaves don’t stay wet; water at the soil line rather than over the foliage. If you see aphids, blast them off with a strong jet of water and repeat after 2–3 days, then check under leaves regularly to catch new colonies early.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase?

During active leaf growth, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently lightly moist—typically water about 2–3 times per week depending on heat and container size. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is sensitive to swings: if it dries out, it can slow growth and become more prone to bitterness and bolting. In warmer part-sun conditions, check daily and water when the soil surface starts to dry, not when it’s fully bone-dry.

How do I tell when Lactuca sativa is ready to harvest?

Harvest leaf lettuce when outer leaves are large enough to pinch off but before the plant becomes tall and loose—most heads/leaf clusters are ready around 55 days from sowing. Use a “leaf-size” rule: pick outer leaves that are tender and reach your desired size, while leaving the center to regrow. If you notice the plant starting to bolt (stretching upward and sending up flower stalks), harvest immediately or you’ll get tougher, more bitter leaves.