Cherokee

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Cherokee to a garden.

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

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Cherokee Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Jul 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

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.