Green Gem

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Cool, crisp hearts emerge in a vivid Green Gem—tender, sweet-leaning leaves with a clean, refreshing crunch and a beautifully upright romaine form.

At maturity in about 55 days, the foliage forms tight, elongated heads with a smooth, slightly glossy surface and a gently ribbed texture that stays crisp in the garden. Ideal for fresh salads and vibrant sandwiches, Green Gem also shines in quick tosses and bright, leaf-forward platters where its sturdy structure holds up with grace.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

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 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)	40
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Green Gem’s tight, upright romaine form and sweet-leaning, lightly juicy bite make it a salad and sandwich workhorse—it resists collapsing and stays crisp even after dressing. Use it in anything where you want structure on the fork, not wilting into the bowl.

Best Uses

romaine-style wedge salads with a creamy dressing that clings to ribs
crisp sandwich crunch where the leaf holds shape instead of going limp
quick toss salads where it stays snappy under a light vinaigrette
leaf-forward platters—drizzled, dressed, and served immediately for maximum bite

Flavor Profile

tender sweet-leaning greens clean, refreshing crunch gently ribbed, lightly juicy bite

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette Parmesan Caesar dressing garlic-rubbed croutons grilled chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

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

For lettuce, aphids and downy mildew are common. Spray aphids off with a strong jet of water and, if needed, use an insecticidal soap, targeting the undersides of leaves; remove heavily infected leaves to slow down downy mildew. Keep soil off the lower leaves by avoiding overhead watering and spacing plants so leaves dry quickly after rain or irrigation.

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

During active leaf growth, keep the top 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) of soil evenly moist but not waterlogged to prevent tip burn and bitterness. In most home gardens this works out to about 1 in (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusted so the soil never dries out fully between waterings. Water early in the day and focus on the soil line to avoid wet foliage.

How can I tell when Green Gem (Lactuca sativa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads are firm and have reached the variety’s typical size at about 55 days, and leaves feel crisp rather than limp. For loose-leaf lettuce, you can also do a cut-and-come-again harvest, taking outer leaves once they’re large enough to eat. If you see the center starting to bolt (rapid stem growth), harvest immediately to avoid tough, bitter leaves.