Cherokee

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Sink your senses into Cherokee’s crisp, cool crunch—heads form with a lush, inviting texture and a fresh, gently sweet flavor that feels bright from the first bite.

Batavian style brings a satisfying firmness with ruffled, tender leaves that hold their shape beautifully, making Cherokee a standout for garden-to-table freshness and quick, vibrant salads.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Rosette

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Cherokee’s Batavian firmness means it keeps its shape and crunch even when the dressing starts to cling—no limp, watery collapse. Go cold, go bright: it’s the lettuce you reach for when the bite itself is the point.

Best Uses

big, cold salads where you want the leaves to stay upright under dressing
leafy cups for crouton-free crunch (stuff with chicken, tuna, or beans)
quick tosses with vinaigrette just before serving to keep it snappy
grilled or seared-warm as a crunchy contrast to smoky proteins

Flavor Profile

cool, gently sweet nuttiness crisp, springy bite fresh, lightly bitter leaf finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette bacon or prosciutto goat cheese roasted corn chickpeas grilled chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Lactuca sativa (leaf lettuce) like “Cherokee,” and how do I manage it?

Watch for aphids and slugs on tender leaves—aphids cluster on new growth, while slugs chew irregular holes at night. Rinse aphids off with a strong jet of water and release ladybugs or use insecticidal soap (especially on underside leaf surfaces). For slugs, set beer traps or use copper tape around beds and remove debris where slugs hide to reduce repeat damage.

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

During active leaf production, keep the root zone evenly moist but not soggy—aim for top 1 inch of soil to stay consistently damp. In typical home gardens, that often means watering about 1–2 times per week, increasing to 2–3 times during hot, drying weather. If lettuce wilts midday and perks up in the evening, water frequency is too low; if leaves stay limp and soil smells sour, you’re likely overwatering.

How can I tell when Cherokee leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is ready to harvest?

Begin harvesting at around day 45 for baby leaves, and at about day 60 for fully sized leaves. Pick outer leaves when they are firm and reach the size you want, leaving the center to regrow for multiple harvests. Stop harvesting whole plants if you see early bolting signs (rapid stem elongation and bitter-tasting leaves), because quality drops quickly.