Coastal Star

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

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

Coastal Star romaine brings a crisp, ocean-fresh crunch with a sweet, clean finish and a tender bite from leaf to rib.

Forming tall, upright heads, it offers a satisfyingly firm texture and deep, glossy green leaves that stay attractive in the garden through the growing season. Ideal for fresh salads and hearty wraps, Coastal Star shines wherever you want romaine’s classic structure and refreshing flavor.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Coastal Star 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	May 4th	Jun 1st	Jul 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

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)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Coastal Star’s romaine structure is the whole point: the ribs stay crisp and the leaf won’t collapse, so it keeps its bite even when you dress it hard. That clean, sweet finish makes it especially good with aggressive Caesar flavors—lemon, anchovy, garlic, and cheese—without turning bitter or watery.

Best Uses

ice-cold romaine salads where the leaves hold a vinaigrette
classic Caesar-style chopped lettuce (built to stand up to thick dressing)
hearty wraps where you want structure without sogginess
quick-grill or pan-char lettuce for charred edges and a cool center

Flavor Profile

clean, sweet crunch bright, watery bite tender ribs with a snappy leaf texture

Kitchen Pairings

lemon juice garlic Parmigiano-Reggiano anchovy olive oil chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa) commonly suffers from downy mildew and aphid outbreaks, especially in cool, damp weather. Improve airflow and water at soil level, then remove badly affected leaves; if aphids appear, spray the undersides with a strong jet of water and use insecticidal soap only if needed. Keep beds weed-free because weeds host aphids and mildew spores.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase (around weeks 3–6)?

During the main growth period, keep the root zone evenly moist—typically about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into smaller soakings if it’s hot or windy. Lettuce signals stress quickly: if leaves start to feel dry or get bitter/tight, increase watering frequency while avoiding soggy soil that promotes mildew. Aim for consistently damp soil, not waterlogged ground.

How do I tell when Lactuca sativa is ready to harvest at about 60 days?

Harvest when leaves reach the size you want: for loose-leaf types, you can start picking outer leaves as soon as plants form a usable rosette, usually well before 60 days. For full heads (if you’re growing heading types), wait until the head feels firm when gently squeezed; if it feels loose or starts stretching upward, it’s likely approaching bolting and should be harvested immediately. Morning harvesting gives the crispest leaves.