Claytonia

Family: Montiaceae Vegetable

Tender, succulent leaves unfurl with a cool, fresh snap—brightly verdant and delicately mild, with a faintly nutty, garden-sweet charm.

Claytonia (miner’s lettuce) forms a low, spreading rosette that stays pleasantly tender at about 35 days, making it a favorite for quick, specialty-greens harvests. Grow it for its delicate texture and clean flavor in fresh salads, as a delicate bed for warm dishes, or stirred into light sauces and sautés for a vivid green finish.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 35 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	May 30th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	35
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Miner’s lettuce is all about that cool, crisp-tender bite with a gentle, nutty sweetness—serve it raw or just barely heat it so the leaves stay springy instead of collapsing. It loves bright acidity and creamy, tangy cheeses, which balance its delicate flavor without overpowering it.

Best Uses

raw in a quick spring salad where it won’t get bullied by heavy dressing
lightly sautéed or steamed as a vivid green side—keep it brief so it stays crisp-tender
folded into warm grain or potato dishes as a fresh-tasting bed that lightly wilts at the edges
stirred into a loose, herby sauce at the last moment for color and soft crunch

Flavor Profile

cool, fresh snap delicately mild faintly nutty and garden-sweet tender, succulent leaf texture

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil soft chèvre feta radicchio salmon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Claytonia perfoliata, and how can I prevent it?

Claytonia perfoliata is prone to fungal leaf spots and damping-off in cool, damp conditions. Water at the soil line (not on leaves), keep plants spaced so air can move through the foliage, and remove any spotted leaves early to slow spread. If damping-off appears, use fresh/sterilized seed-starting mix and avoid overwatering until seedlings are established.

How often should I water Claytonia perfoliata during peak growth?

During the main growth phase, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for lightly moist soil the top 1 inch down. In part sun and mild weather, this often works out to about 1 inch of water per week total, split into smaller waterings if the surface dries quickly. If leaves start drooping or growth stalls, water right away; if the soil stays wet or smells sour, reduce watering to prevent fungal issues.

How can I tell when Claytonia perfoliata is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants form a tender rosette of spoon-shaped leaves and the foliage is still bright and supple, typically around 35 days from sowing. For the best flavor, pick young leaves and the surrounding tender tips first; avoid harvesting heavily once stems elongate. You can make repeated cut-and-come-again harvests, taking no more than about one-third of the plant at a time to keep it producing.