Green Ice

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Cool, crisp leaves unfurl in a pale green that looks like fresh morning light—Green Ice delivers a refreshing crunch with a clean, gently sweet flavor.

Loose-leaf heads form quickly, with tender, ruffled texture that stays pleasantly crisp for salads and quick garnishes. Grow it for reliable early harvests and a bright, garden-fresh bite that shines in fresh servings and leafy blends, as well as in chilled, tangy preparations.

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)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Green Ice loose-leaf lettuce is built for the bite—its sweet, clean crunch holds up when you dress it at the last second, especially with sharp acid like lemon or vinegar. Tear it generously into chilled bowls or sandwich layers so the ruffles stay crisp instead of collapsing into wet leaves.

Best Uses

ice-cold salad bowls where it stays crisp under vinaigrette
hand-torn leafy blends for quick weeknight crunch
chilled garnishes on sandwiches and wraps (no soggy wilt)
tangy dressings—lemon, vinegar, and yogurt—served right away

Flavor Profile

clean, gently sweet green-plant flavor snappy, ruffled crunch tender leaves that don’t turn watery quickly

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic olive oil buttermilk or yogurt hard cheeses like parmesan eggs

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely with Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and how do I manage it?

In home gardens, lettuce commonly gets downy mildew (often showing pale yellow patches with fuzzy growth on the underside) and aphids that cluster on tender new leaves. Remove affected leaves early and improve airflow; water the soil, not the foliage, to reduce mildew spread. If aphids appear, spray plants with a strong jet of water and repeat every 2–3 days until clusters drop off, avoiding soaking the leaves.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during its main growing phase to keep it crisp?

During the main growth period (about weeks 2–8), keep the soil consistently evenly moist—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week total, split into smaller waterings if temperatures rise. Lettuce quickly turns bitter or bolts when the soil swings between dry and wet, so check moisture at 1–2 inches deep and water when it feels just slightly dry at that depth.

How can I tell when Lactuca sativa ‘Green Ice’ is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads (or leaf mass, if you grow it as loose leaf) have reached a usable size and leaves are firm, not limp, typically around 55 days from sowing. For the best flavor, pick in the morning when leaves are crisp, and stop harvesting when plants start sending up a flowering stalk (bolting).