Little Gem

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

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

Crisp as a fresh snowfall, Little Gem forms tight, upright heads with a jewel-bright green heart and a tender, buttery bite.

The leaves stay pleasantly sweet and fine-textured from first harvest through the heartiest cool-season days, making each cluster feel exceptionally clean and refined. Grow Little Gem for elegant salads and vibrant garnishes, or for quick braises and savory sautés where its delicate romaine texture shines.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Little Gem 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	May 4th	Jun 1st	Jul 26th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Jul 19th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Jul 13th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 7th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jun 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jun 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jun 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	May 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	May 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	Apr 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Apr 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
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)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Little Gem’s tight, jewel-bright heart keeps its structure—so it stays crisp under a properly sharp dressing and doesn’t turn flabby. If you braise it, do it fast in fat with a splash of acid; it melts into a silky romaine bite instead of getting soggy.

Best Uses

ice-cold wedge salads with a sharp vinaigrette that clings to the tender ribs
small, elegant whole-leaf bowls—dress at the last second so the heart stays snappy
quick sauté or shallow braise in butter/olive oil to soften without going watery
hot sandwich topper where it adds crisp contrast without wilting quickly

Flavor Profile

sweet, cool-lettuce brightness buttery, tender crunch fine-textured romaine bite clean, lightly herbal finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette Parmesan buttermilk ranch anchovy soft-boiled egg bacon or prosciutto

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Lactuca sativa (Little Gem), and how can I manage it?

A common problem is lettuce aphids, which cluster on tender new leaves and leave sticky honeydew that can lead to sooty mold. Rinse plants with a strong spray of water to knock aphids off, then apply insecticidal soap directly on the undersides every 4–7 days as needed. If you see gray-white down on leaves or sudden collapse in cool, damp weather, improve airflow and avoid overhead watering to reduce downy mildew risk.

How often should I water Little Gem lettuce during the main growing phase?

During the 45–55 day growing period, keep the soil consistently evenly moist—about 1 inch of water per week total, split into 2–3 waterings if it’s hot or windy. Aim for damp (not soggy) soil at root depth; water when the top 1 inch of soil starts to dry to prevent bitterness and tipburn. Use morning watering so leaves dry quickly, since staying wet overnight encourages lettuce diseases.

How do I know when Little Gem is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads are firm, tight, and reach roughly the stated size for the variety (often around 5–7 inches across) and the outside leaves feel crisp rather than flexible. Count forward to about 55 days from sowing/transplanting and check head firmness—lettuce that’s loose or still forming won’t keep quality as well. Cut at the base in the morning for the best texture, and don’t wait for overmaturity because heat-triggered bolting can ruin flavor.