Drunken Woman Frizzy Headed

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Sink your senses into the lush, frilly rosettes of Drunken Woman Frizzy Headed—tender leaves that unfurl in a cascade of crisp, ruffled texture with a fresh, sweet-green flavor.

This loose-leaf lettuce forms an abundant, irregular headlike spread, ideal for repeat harvesting as the plant stays productive through the season. Grow it for garden-fresh salads and vibrant garnishes that shine with a delicate crunch and lively, leafy character.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Drunken Woman Frizzy Headed

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
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	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This loose-leaf, frilly type eats like a crisp lettuce salad that doesn’t wilt fast—each tear holds its crunch and sweetness. Use it aggressively fresh (cold plates, light dressing) so the ruffles keep their texture and the leaves don’t fall flat.

Best Uses

tear-and-toss salads where the frills catch vinaigrette without turning slimy
cold sandwiches/wraps that need a sturdy, snappy leaf
quick blanch-and-chill for a crisp, springy side with a yogurt or tahini sauce
garnish duty: scatter as a fresh top so it stays crunchy

Flavor Profile

sweet-green flavor crisp, ruffled crunch tender, leafy bite with delicate bitterness

Kitchen Pairings

citrus vinaigrette feta goat cheese hard-boiled eggs bacon or prosciutto sesame oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Lactuca sativa (leaf lettuce), and how can I treat it?

Watch for aphids and lettuce downy mildew, both of which thrive in cool, humid conditions. Remove heavily infested leaves early, spray plants with a strong water jet to knock off aphids, and improve airflow by spacing plants wider. For downy mildew, water at the soil line (not the leaves) and remove infected foliage promptly; if it keeps spreading, use an appropriate labeled fungicide for lettuce downy mildew and follow the label timing.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during its main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I keep?

During the main growing period (roughly weeks 3–8), keep the root zone evenly moist—aim for consistently damp soil, not soggy. Water about 1–2 times per week, increasing to more frequent watering during hot spells so the top few inches don’t dry out. Lettuce will turn bitter and bolt if it dries out, so adjust to maintain steady moisture as days warm.

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

Harvest when leaves are full-sized but still tender—typically around 55–60 days from sowing, depending on your conditions. For leaf lettuce, you can use “cut-and-come-again”: take outer leaves once they reach a usable size and leave the center growing for continued harvests. If you see the plant starting to form a tall flower stalk or the leaves become coarse, harvest immediately to avoid bitterness.