Iceberg

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Iceberg to a garden.

Crisp as freshly fallen snow, Iceberg forms tight, pale-green heads with a cool, watery crunch that practically sings with every bite.

The leaves are thick and shingled, holding their snap through harvest and storage, making this crisphead a dependable centerpiece for fresh salads and bright, refreshing garnishes. Grow Iceberg for a classic, garden-grown crunch at about 70 days—clean, sturdy, and beautifully uniform from row to row.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Rosette

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Iceberg Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 18th	Jul 27th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 17th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 17th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 12th	Jul 21st – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 17th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 6th	Jul 15th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 1st	Jul 10th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	Apr 27th	Jul 6th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	Apr 24th	Jul 3rd – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 18th	Jun 27th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 13th	Jun 22nd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 3rd	Jun 12th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Mar 25th	Jun 3rd – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 16th	May 25th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Feb 27th	May 8th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 2nd	Apr 13th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Iceberg’s whole job is texture: thick, shingled leaves give you a glassy crunch with a clean, mild finish that survives dressing longer than delicate lettuces. It’s the lettuce you reach for when you want cold, crisp bite in a sandwich or salad—no wilted drama.

Best Uses

cold salads where you want bite-through structure
ice-cold lettuce cups for crunchy fillings (tacos, crab salad, chicken salad)
crisp sandwich and burger layers that won’t immediately collapse
garnish duty for chopped crunch and texture on grain bowls

Flavor Profile

cool, watery crunch mild, clean lettuce sweetness thick, shingled leaves that stay snappy

Kitchen Pairings

lemon bacon blue cheese ranch dressing chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a common disease problem for Lactuca sativa (iceberg lettuce) and how can I prevent it?

Leaf lettuce/iceberg commonly suffers from downy mildew (often showing pale yellow patches on the upper leaves with gray-purple growth underneath). Avoid overhead watering, keep seedlings spaced for airflow, and remove affected outer leaves early to slow spread. If conditions stay cool and damp, switch to a labeled downy-mildew treatment for leafy greens and keep the beds mulched to reduce splashback.

How often should I water iceberg lettuce during its main growing phase?

During the 45–70 days toward maturity, water to keep soil evenly moist 2–3 in. deep—aim for consistent moisture rather than letting it dry out between waterings. In warm spells, this often means watering every 2–4 days, but adjust so the soil never dries out fully; in cooler weather you may water weekly. If lettuce gets too dry, heads may not tighten well and edges can turn bitter.

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

Harvest when the head feels firm and compact when gently squeezed, with leaves tightly layered and no loose, open center. Typical timing is about 70 days from sowing, but focus on head firmness and size rather than the calendar alone. Cut the head at the base in the morning for crisp leaves, and pick before prolonged heat that can cause loosening.