Deer Tongue

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Tender, deer-tongue–shaped leaves unfurl in a lush, buttery green, with a crisp snap and a gently sweet, fresh flavor that feels cool and clean from the garden.

Loose-leaf growth forms an airy rosette that stays pleasantly tender as it matures in about 55 days, making it ideal for repeated harvesting. Grow Deer Tongue for vibrant salads and bright, leaf-forward garnishes—its delicate texture shines in fresh bowls and quick tosses, and it also lends a mild, leafy character to sauces and pickling-style mixes.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 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 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Deer Tongue’s tender rosette gives you a buttery crunch with a cool, clean sweetness—an “eat-it-first” lettuce that doesn’t need heavy sauce to taste alive. It holds up best with acidic vinaigrettes and bright fats (olive oil, lemon) so the leaves stay snappy instead of collapsing into wetness.

Best Uses

hero it in simple dressed salads where the leaves can stay crisp
use as a soft “bed” under warm proteins—its tenderness won’t fight a hot plate
fold into quick tosses and grain bowls for crunch
pickling-style mix-ins where it keeps a mild, leafy character

Flavor Profile

cool, gently sweet lettuce flavor buttery, tender leaf with a clean crisp snap lightly grassy, fresh-cut finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon extra-virgin olive oil goat cheese feta grilled chicken cucumber

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease or pest issue for Lactuca sativa (Deer Tongue), and how can I manage it at home?

Look for aphids and powdery mildew—aphids cluster on new leaves, while powdery mildew appears as a white, dusty coating on leaf surfaces. Spray a strong jet of water to knock off aphids, then use insecticidal soap if they persist, focusing on leaf undersides. For powdery mildew, water at the soil level and thin plants so air moves through the rosette, and remove badly infected leaves early to slow spread.

How often should I water Deer Tongue lettuce during the main growing phase?

During the main growing phase, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for roughly 1 inch of water per week, split into smaller waterings if it’s hot or windy. Check by feel: if the soil is dry an inch down, water; if it stays soggy, reduce frequency to prevent rot and mildew.

How do I tell when Deer Tongue lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 55 days when the leaves form a full, firm rosette and the heads/leaves feel solid rather than loose. Pick leaves in the morning when they’re crisp, or cut the whole plant at ground level once it reaches the target size—overmature rosettes can turn more bitter and bolt faster in warm weather.