Green Deer Tongue

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Tender, cool-sweet leaves unfurl with a deer-tongue grace—crisp, juicy, and richly green from the first harvest.

Green Deer Tongue forms an airy loose-leaf rosette with a gently ruffled edge and a delicate, buttery crunch that stays pleasantly crisp in the garden. Ideal for fresh salads and vibrant spring bowls, it also shines as a leafy base for quick tosses and herb-forward mixes.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Green Deer Tongue

Crop Dates : 2b

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 24th
Last Frost	May 15th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 15th
Harvest Begins	Jun 29th
Harvest Ends	Aug 25th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
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

Green Deer Tongue’s tender, juicy leaves are built for eating cold and fast—the crunch holds up when dressed lightly and served right away. Use it as the leafy engine for bright acids (lemon, vinegar) and briny cheese; skip aggressive heat that turns loose-leaf lettuce soft and watery.

Best Uses

spring salads where the leaves can stay crisp (no heavy, hot dressing)
loose-leaf bowls under a lemony vinaigrette
quick tosses with warm-but-not-steaming components to avoid wilting
tear-and-stack sandwiches where it adds snap and moisture

Flavor Profile

cool-sweet, grassy freshness delicate buttery crunch juicy, lightly nutty leafiness gentle bitterness at the finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette feta radishes cherry tomatoes grilled chicken olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Lactuca sativa (green deer tongue), and how can I manage it?

Lettuce commonly gets downy mildew (often showing pale yellow patches on leaves with a gray-purple growth on the underside). Improve airflow and avoid wetting the foliage, then remove badly infected leaves to slow spread. If you see early symptoms, treat plants promptly with a labeled downy-mildew fungicide and keep spacing so the plant canopy dries quickly after watering.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase?

Keep the soil evenly moist from first true leaves until harvest—lettuce roots stay shallow, so let the top ~1/2 inch dry slightly but don’t allow the bed to fully dry out. In warm weather, this usually means watering about every 2–3 days, increasing frequency if the surface dries faster. Consistent moisture prevents bitter flavor and helps reduce bolting risk.

How do I know when green deer tongue lettuce is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the heads/rosettes are well-formed and leaves feel tender rather than tough, typically around 45 days from sowing. Check for a full-size rosette and leaf color appropriate for the variety; if leaves are still small, wait a few days. For best texture, harvest in the cool of morning and pick before the plant shows tall center growth (early bolting).